Incumbent Metro Manila officials lead survey

MANILA, Philippines — Voters appear to prefer re-electionists or incumbent mayors in most cities in Metro Manila, according to a recent survey conducted by a private group called RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc.

The survey, conducted from April 27 to May 1, showed some candidates pulling away from their opponents days before the midterm polls.

In Quezon City, 60 percent of the respondents said they would vote for Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who solidified her lead against Rep. Vincent Crisologo with 32 percent and former lawmaker Ismael Mathay III with four percent in the mayoralty race.

Re-electionist Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay obtained 64 percent, almost double the 34 percent obtained by her brother, former mayor Junjun Binay.

In Pasig, re-electionist Mayor Roberto “Bobby” Eusebio took the lead with 66 percent, against the 33 percent obtained by councilor Vico Sotto.

Also leading were re-electionist mayors Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela (95 percent), Edwin Olivarez of Parañaque (62 percent), Lenlen Oreta of Malabon (65 percent), Carmelita Abalos of Mandaluyong (97 percent), Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan (93 percent), Jaime Fresnedi of Muntinlupa (57 percent), Imelda Aguilar of Las Piñas (94 percent), Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina (93 percent) and Miguel Ponce III of Pateros (73 percent).

The case is different in Manila, where former president and re-electionist Mayor Joseph Estrada is trailing behind former vice mayor Isko Moreno.

Moreno obtained 50 percent, followed by Estrada with 33 percent and former mayor Alfredo Lim with 15 percent.

In San Juan where the top post is to be vacated by Mayor Guia Gomez, former vice mayor Francis Zamora is slightly ahead with 53 percent against incumbent Vice Mayor Janella Estrada with 47 percent.

In Taguig, Lino Cayetano – a former lawmaker and brother-in-law of outgoing Mayor Lani Cayetano – is leading with 67 percent against Rep. Arnel Cerafica with 30 percent.

Incumbent lawmakers who are seeking to replace relatives as mayors also lead in the survey.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who is running for the seat to be vacated by his brother three-term Mayor John Rey Tiangco, is leading with 76 percent against councilor Dan Israel Ang with 20 percent.

Pasay Rep. Imelda Calixto Rubiano, who is also running to replace her brother Mayor Antonino Calixto, is leading with 74 percent against Chet Cuneta, son of former mayor Pablo Cuneta, with 15 percent.

The non-commissioned survey had 8,000 registered voters in Metro Manila as respondents.