Richard, Lucy score high in new survey

MANILA, Philippines - In a survey conducted last month in the fourth district of Leyte, 62 percent of the respondents in Ormoc City maintain that their choice for mayor is actor Richard Gomez. 

Gomez already had the lead among possible choices as early as 2011, as indicated in a similar survey conducted during the same period last year. 

In the new survey, Gomez widened his lead even further. He led by 47 percent over Dodong Codilla, who was a far second with 15 percent, while his son, Ondo Codilla, who filed for mayor was at 8.4 percent only.

According to the respondents, they see Gomez as a symbol of change and appreciate him for being “maayo, buotan ug matinabangon (competent, good and helpful).” They also perceive him to be someone they could easily approach.

Meanwhile, Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez has consistently got high marks with over 90 percent approval, satisfaction and trust ratings. 

Over 90 percent of the respondents said they approve of her to remain as their representative for another term (90.3 percent), are satisfied with her performance as congresswoman (94 percent), and trust her as a public servant (97 percent).

Change is perceived in the district, and majority of the respondents further said they have benefited from this change.

According to the respondents, they are confident that more positive changes will take place with a Richard-Lucy tandem, since there will now be unity among the local leaders. They cited “wala’y panaghiusa (lack of unity)” as one of the current realities in the district. Surveys prior to the 2010 elections indicated the clamor for change in the district. 

When respondents were asked on what changes had an impact on them during the congresswoman’s term, they cited the following: better roads, new infrastructure (school buildings and barangay halls), health benefits (medicine), water supply, scholarships, and livelihood. 

The survey had a total of 1,000 respondents, proportionately distributed across Ormoc City and the towns of Kananga, Merida, Palompon, Isabel, Matag-ob and Albuera, and covering 95 percent of the total barangays in the district.