There’s no doubt that the May 9, 2022 presidential election in the Philippines is just a two-way race.
This became clear based on the latest survey results by think tank Pulse Asia.
Although Ferdinand “Bongbong” “BBM” Marcos Jr. continues to lead the pack of presidential hopefuls, Vice President Leni has gained momentum.
The survey conducted between December 6 and December 11 showed Marcos at 53 percent and Robredo at 20 percent.
But as Philippine Star reported on December 22, Robredo’s 20 percent showing was a “significant increase” from her eight percent in the previous Pulse Asia poll.
Despite being the clear runner-up, Robredo’s percentages across the National Capitol Region (14 percent from 10 percent), Balance Luzon (24 percent from eight percent), Visayas (25 percent from 10 percent), and Mindanao (10 percent from four percent) went up since the last survey in September.
Across classes ABC (24 percent from eight percent), D (19 percent from eight percent), and E (21 percent from 11 percent), Robredo’s popularity with voters also shot up significantly, the Philippine Star reported.
Robredo’s camp welcomed this latest development.
Robredo spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez was confident she could still win as the latest survey showed her climbing by 12 points—double her results in the previous poll.
This was a “definitive affirmation of the energy and momentum of the people’s campaign that emerged following her declaration of candidacy on Oct. 7,” Gutierrez said.
The election period commences on January 9 until June 8 of 2022.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for national positions (president, vice president, senator and party-list groups) will be from February 8, 2022 to May 7, 2022.
Supporters of Robredo and Marcos in the Vancouver area have been busy.
A media release by Pat Katipunan stated that the Philippine Bicol Association of BC(PBABC) in cooperation with the Vancouver Coalition for Leni and Kiko recently held Bowling for Leni, a successful fundraising to help Robredo and her running mate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in 2022 elections.
In addition, coalition Chairman Amado Mercado Jr. announced another fundraising effort to help the Typhoon Odette victims through the Tanging Yaman Foundation in the Philippines.
Bert Parungao, treasurer of the Vancouver Coalition for Leni and Kiko, reassured the members “that our fundraising effort will be properly accounted for and will reach the beneficiaries.”
Parungao continued, “Tanging Yaman will give a receipt and/or acknowledgement when they receive the funds.”
Malou Capucao, Co-Chairperson also announced that the Vancouver Coalition will soon be sending usable clothes and canned foods to help the typhoon victims.
The PBABC officers are: Myla Bagasbas Marrinier, President; Bert Manzano, Vice President; Beth Valenciano Cruz, Secretary; Danny Reyes, Assistant Secretary; Robert Azana, Treasurer; Romel Combes, Assistant Treasurer; Juan Dumalasa, Business Manager; Muriel Boncacas, Auditor; Geraldine Suzara, PRO; Mario Garchitorena and Jose Lee, Seargents At Arms;
Board of Directors: Victoria Tena, Lorry G. Russell, Jose Arellano and Pilar De Guzman. Advisors: Marilyn Cunanan, Manny Ilao and Salvador Balana.
President Myla Bagasbas Marriner acknowledged Robert Azana getting a discount from the Revs Bowling Corporation. Robert is a regular Revs customer and a top bowler in the Lower Mainland of BC.
Mercado Jr. welcomed Jean Joseph, former Circulo Pampangueno President participating in the bowling event. Mercado announced that Ms. Joseph supports Robredo.
When plans are finalized, Malou Capucao, Vancouver co-chairperson, will be announcing the details of a major event towards the end of January, 2022.
Meanwhile, the pro-Marcos camp held a dinner gala in Burnaby on December 17.
In a report to Philippine Asian News Today, organizers said that there were 164 participants in the formal event.
A highlight of the event is a video message from no less than presidential candidate Marcos.
The officers of the Solid BBM-Sara organization are Hannah Abellar- Head Director; Rudy Ulep- Asst. Director; Stella Daza Belda- Consultant; Charlene Yabo- City Head Coordinator; Sandra Gumboc- Admin for Affairs; Marlon Tabadero- Admin for Media Affairs; Myrna Sherwin- Events and Logistics Coordinator
City Coordinators; Mirasol Vega- Surrey- Langley; Roger Albay- Vancouver- New Westminster; and Arlene Middleton Cinco- Richmond; and Virgie Espadero- Coquitlam- Burnaby.
The event staff are: Mervyn Espadero, Sharon Castillo, Florence Fianza, Bootz Dawing Estella, Lovely Joy, Madel Rante, Ysabel Middleton, and Imelda Karganilla.
The singing performers are Jasmine Stacey, Dennis Kusin, Phoebe Jacobsen, and Leo Oñate.
The cultural dancers are the Cordillera Group led by Bootz Dawing Estella.
The master of ceremony was Tess Zamora, and official photographer (Perspective Studios) was Jeff Toledo.
In the Pulse Asia survey, the other presidential candidates trailed behind Marcos and Robredo.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao both got eight percent, and Senator Panfilo Lacson, six percent.
At the cellar are retired general Antonio Parlade Jr, labor leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman and former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, while fove percent did not know their preference, refused to answer or did not answer.
Marcos led in all regions and in all classes, while Domagoso and Pacquiao were second to Marcos in the National Capital Region and Mindanao, respectively.
Meanwhile, Marcos running mate and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio led in the vice presidential survey with 45 percent preference, followed by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd at 31 percent, Senator Francis Pangilinan at 12 percent, Dr. Willie Ong at six percent, Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza at one percent and former lawmaker Walden Bello at 0.01 percent.
Duterte-Carpio led in the National Capital Region with 45 percent preference, and in Mindanao with an overwhelming 82 percent voting preference, while Sotto led in Balanced Luzon at 36 percent.
Both are in a statistical tie in the Visayas, with Sotto leading at 39 percent and Duterte-Carpio at 38 percent. Duterte-Carpio also led in all economic classes, A to E.
In the Senate race, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano led the survey, followed by broadcaster Raffy Tulfo, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero, former Public Works secretary Mark Villar, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, former vice president Jejomar Binay, Senator Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, President Rodrigo Duterte, actor Robin Padilla, Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros and former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.
The survey had a margin of error of plus-minus 2 percent at 95 percent confidence level, while the sub-national results had a margin of error of plus-minus 4 percent, also at a 95 percent confidence level.
