MANILA, Philippines – Presidential survey frontrunners Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte and Sen. Grace Poe on Monday said they will intensify their campaign strategies with less than a month left in the campaign period.
This after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll where Duterte took over the top spot from Poe.
The two presidential candidates, however, have different strategies to secure the lead in the race.
For Duterte, his team said they will continue with the sorties to reach more voters, particularly in Luzon, and welcome "well-meaning allies from other camps," among others.
“We shall continue with the sorties, reach more voters particularly in Luzon, welcome well-meaning allies from other camps, monitor the overseas voting and learn from their problems, and rally our citizenry for our final push for the victory of genuine change,” Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a text message to Philstar.com.
Poe’s camp, on the other hand, said it will focus on its message of offering "fresh solutions" to the decades-old problems of poverty and unemployment.
“We will continue to amplify the inclusive message of Sen. Poe. People are frustrated with the status quo especially when you talk about poverty and unemployment. People are looking for fresh solution to these decades old problems, and that is what Gobyernong may Puso is all about,” Poe’s spokesperson Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian told Philstar.com.
SWS first quarter survey results serve as motivation
Duterte obtained 27 percent in the latest SWS survey conducted between March 30 to April 2, securing a four-point lead.
His camp welcomed this news and said that it is an affirmation of other presidential surveys where Duterte also took the lead. He attributed the high rating to volunteers who continue to support the mayor in his campaign.
“We are grateful that the surveys are now reflecting what we have been witnessing and experiencing on the ground. The new SWS survey affirms the other surveys that have Duterte on the clear lead in the presidential race. The informal exit pollings by ordinary OFWs in the first 2 days of overseas voting likewise manifest the overwhelming popular support for Duterte,” Laviña said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian reiterated that surveys serve as a guide to Poe’s campaign trail. He said he is confident that as they intensify their campaign, people who were left behind will favor the solutions being offered by Poe's "Gobyernong may Puso" and choose the senator in the May 9 elections.
“We are confident that as more people hear and understand her message, the more support will consolidate behind her,” he added.
VP bets weigh in
On the other hand, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who took the solo lead in the SWS survey with 26 percent against Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who placed second with 21 percent, also considered the survey as a motivation in the remaining days of the campaign.
“With barely a month to go before the May polls, we take this latest news as an inspiration to persevere and work even harder in the last stretch of the campaign season," Marcos said.
Escudero, who previously held the lead in the vice presidential polls, said he won't criticize the results.
“Mataas man kami o mababa hindi namin pipintasan ang survey,” Escudero said.
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