ANGELES CITY — Barely four months to election day, Vice-President Leni Robredo emerged as the top pick among the presidential candidates in the 2022 elections, based on Data Analysis & Research for Elections (D.A.R.E.) survey conducted from Dec. 27-31, 2021 and Jan. 3-7, 2022 in this city with more than 200,000 registered voters.
The respondents were particularly asked: “Of the people on this list, whom would you vote for as President, Vice-President, Mayor, Vice-Mayor and City Councilors if the May 9, 2022 elections were held today and why?”
Covid-19 response made the most prominent issue for candidates, such as the distribution of “ayuda,” medical assistance, cash aid, livelihood projects and more.
The survey results showed 41 percent of Angelenos expressing support for Robredo. Coming in a close second was former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with 38 percent.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso placed 3rd with 15 percent. Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson came in 4th with 6 percent.
Robredo’s teammate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also emerged as the top pick among the vice-presidential candidates with 38.7 percent, followed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte with 30.6 percent. Senate President Tito Sotto placed 3rd with 22.4 percent and Dr. Willie Ong 4th with 8.3 percent.
Pogi-Vicky top choice
For the local candidates, reelectionist Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin was an overwhelming choice at 92 percent, his rival city councilor Amos Rivera of Aksyon Demokratiko polling a measly 8 percent.
Reelectionist Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting obtained an even higher percentage of 97, her rival Dr, Pie Juan, also of Aksyon Demokratiko, getting 3 percent.
A close race obtains in the city council among reelectionists and returnees.
Incumbent Dan Lacson topped the survey with 19.4 percent, followed by (2) Bonifacio, Alfie – 15.3 percent; (3) Suller, Arvin – 12.9 percent; (4) Mercado, Alma – 11.5 percent; (5) Sangil, Jay – 9.2 percent; and (6) Aguas, JC – 8.7 percent.
There were also ties: at (7) were Cortez, Cris and Banola, Niknok – 7.64 – 7.65 percent respectively; at (8): Pamintuan, Edu and Cauguiran, Alex – 6.82 – 6.83 percent; at (9) Mamac Jr., Rodelio and Del Rosario, Raco – 5.71 – 5.72 percent; and at (10) Pineda, Aaron and Indiongco, Alex – 2.93 – 2.94 percent respectively.
The respondents cited as bases for their preferences for the city council candidates their council record, high visibility, name-recall and popularity, “ayuda,” Covid-19 response, affiliation with the administration, social media following, and personal advocacies such as Suller’s free notarial services, Bonifacio’s Save Chevalier School, Lacson’s Tolda sa TODA, and Cauguiran’s record as president-CEO of Clark International Airport Corp.
Mechanics
The latest D.A.R.E. survey was conducted by five teams using face-to-face interviews of respondents identified in random streets of the total 33 barangays, in various meetings and events during the holiday season from Dec. 27-31, 2021 and Jan. 3-7, 2022.
Challenges were encountered in the last leg due to the implementation of stricter health protocols by the local government unit. Interviewed were 16,344 respondents, 18 years old – above, and Angeles City registered voters. It has a margin of error ranging from +/- 2.53 % to 3.36.
