Incumbents top choices for Metro Manila mayors – survey

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila mayors running for reelection or other local posts remained the most preferred candidates in the upcoming elections, the latest survey conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) showed.

RPMD released the results of its April 17 to 21 survey on Monday night, two weeks before the May 9 polls.

In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte maintained her lead with 65 percent of support among survey respondents, compared to 33 percent obtained by her closest rival, Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor.

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto obtained the support of 67 percent of survey respondents from the city, compared to the 30 percent who support Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo. Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro had 58 percent of support, against the 38 percent of former mayor and incumbent Rep. Bayani Fernando.

Other re-electionist mayors leading in their respective races were Abby Binay of Makati (95 percent), Imelda Aguilar of Las Piñas (91 percent), Ike Ponce III of Pateros (88 percent), Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay (93 percent) and Francis Zamora of San Juan (85 percent).

Some lawmakers also emerged as the most preferred candidates in their respective mayoralty races: Valenzuela Rep. Weslie Gatchalian (90 percent), Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco (88 percent) and Parañaque Rep. Eric Olivarez (78 percent).

Caloocan Rep. Dale Malapitan (85 percent) is leading against Rep. Edgar Erice (15 percent), while former mayor and Taguig Rep. Lani Cayetano (70 percent) is leading against former representative Arnel Cerafica (25 percent).

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon obtained 85 percent of support, compared to closest rival Red Marinas with 13 percent.

In Manila, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna is leading with 55 percent against former representative Amado Bagatsing with 20 percent and Alex Lopez with 18 percent.

Former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. is also leading the race in Mandaluyong with 88 percent.

In Malabon, former vice mayor Jeannie Sandoval has 56 percent compared to 42 percent for Councilor Enzo Oreta, brother of outgoing Mayor Antolin Oreta.

Outgoing Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, who are both running for Congress, obtained 92 percent.

According to RPMD, the survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 10,000 respondents from Metro Manila, sampled randomly and divided proportionally based on population. Margin of error ranges from 2.5 percent to 3.36 percent, depending on the sample size.