MORE major political parties and groups are expected to throw their support behind the UniTeam tandem of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, according to the camp of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard bearer, as the latest Laylo national survey results still showed him the frontrunner.
The former senator clinched 61 percent in voters’ presidential preference rating, enjoying a 42-percent margin over his closest rival.
The Laylo Report which covers the results from its fieldwork research, conducted from March 15 to 22, 2022, shows Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo lagging behind at 19 percent, Isko Moreno at 9 percent, Manny Pacquiao at 6 percent, Ping Lacson at 2 percent, and the Undecided at 2 percent.
Marcos topped the Laylo preferential survey in all regions, with the “Solid North” delivering the highest voters’ preference rating: 86 percent in the Ilocos Region (Region 1), 86 percent in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, 84 percent in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), and 62 percent in Central Luzon (Region 3).
Marcos also enjoys strong support in Mindanao. The Davao Region (Region 11) and the Caraga (Region 13) delivered the highest voters’ preference rating at 80 percent each, with Soccsksargen (Region 12) at 67 percent, the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) at 66 percent, BARMM at 63 percent, and Northern Mindanao (Region 10) at 55 percent.
The results in terms of demographics also show the runaway lead of Marcos in all classes. He registers 58-percent voters’ preference rating in Classes ABC, 62 percent in Class D, and 58 percent in Class E.
In terms of trust ratings of candidates for president by major areas, Marcos got +53, with Moreno following at +16, Robredo taking a negative mark at -9, Lacson with -11, and -23 for Pacquiao.
The Laylo survey also asked respondents who among the presidential candidates can best continue the legacy of the Duterte administration. Marcos, who received 65 percent, emerged as the most capable in continuing the legacy projects of the current administration. He is followed by Robredo with 15 percent, Moreno and Pacquiao received the same mark at 6 percent each, and Lacson with 4 percent.
The Laylo survey had a universe of 3,000 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.
Biggest, most influential parties
Meanwhile, some of the country’s biggest political parties banded together to support the UniTeam aspirants.
On Tuesday, the Nacionalista Party led by former Senate President Manny Villar declared support for the UniTeam duo.
The National Unity Party (NUP), described as one of the biggest political parties in the country, earlier declared its support as well.
NUP leaders said Marcos’s call for unity adheres to their party’s primary vision.
President Duterte’s political party, the PDP-Laban wing led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, also endorsed Marcos’s presidential bid.
Marcos is the standard-bearer of PFP, while his running mate Inday Sara Duterte chairs the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and the vice presidential bet of the Lakas-CMD.
Apart from their own parties, the UniTeam was also endorsed by the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), HNP, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and the Reform Party.
Also earlier, three of the biggest labor groups, including the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Labor Party of the Philippines, and Partido Lakas ng Manggagawang Pilipino also endorsed the UniTeam.