By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter
SENATORIAL candidates endorsed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. dominated voter preferences across all regions except Mindanao, where Duterte-aligned bets led, according to the latest poll by WR Numero Research.
Eight senatorial aspirants from the Marcos-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) were within the 12 winning slots in Metro Manila, including nine in Luzon and seven in the Visayas, but only one in Mindanao, WR Numero said in a statement, citing the results of its April survey.
Nine senatorial bets from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, which is chaired by ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte, were supported by voters in Mindanao, but only two in Metro Manila and three in Luzon and the Visayas, it added.
“The regional divide in Senate preferences reflects long-standing patterns in Philippine politics, where regional identity, patronage networks and local political machinery play key roles in shaping electoral outcomes,” Cleve V. Arguelles, chief executive officer and president at WR Numero, said in a Viber message.
The political rift between the Marcos and Duterte clans have deepened in recent months after Marcos allies at the House of Representatives stripped Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio hundreds of billions of pesos of intelligence and confidential funds.
It culminated in her impeachment in February and the arrest and surrender of the Duterte patriarch to the International Criminal Court in The Hague last month where he will be tried for crimes against humanity in connection with his deadly drug war.
In Metro Manila, 47% of Filipino voters said they would vote for Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo, followed by ex-Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III (32%) and reelectionist Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano (31%), all part of the administration’s Senate ticket, according to WR Numero.
It added that 31% of Filipinos support former Senator Panfilo M. Lacson and Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” S. Binay, both Marcos-backed candidates, alongside ex-Senator and independent candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino. Reelectionist Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, a Duterte ally, followed with 29%.
WR Numero said 28% of voters backed Senator and Alyansa candidate Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid, with 27% saying they would vote for former Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan. They were followed by ex-Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. (27%), a member of the administration’s slate, and radio personality and independent candidate Bienvenido T. Tulfo (26%).
Reelectionist Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos, also a Duterte ally, completed the list, with 24% saying they would vote for her.
Political analysts said the stark regional divide was due to the strongholds of each senatorial ticket’s backers, which heavily influenced voter preferences.
Political elites from Luzon and the Visayas tend to support Mr. Marcos because it aligns with their business interests, Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
“Mindanao remains a bulwark for the Dutertes because their brand of iron-fisted rule resonates more in the Mindanao region,” Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at De La Salle University, said via Messenger chat.
WR Numero interviewed 1,814 voters nationwide on April 1 to 7 for the noncommissioned survey, which had an error margin of ±2 points.
In Luzon, Mr. Tulfo, Mr. Lacson and Mr. Lapid led the polls, with 47%, 41% and 38% of Filipinos saying they would vote for them. Following them were Ms. Cayetano (38%), Mr. Go (37%) and Ms. Binay (37%).
WR Numero said 36% of Filipinos would vote for Mr. Tulfo, the broadcaster, while 35% would go for Mr. Sotto. Reelectionist Senator and Alyansa candidate Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. trailed at 34%.
Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar, endorsed by both the Marcos and Duterte camps, got 29% support, tying with former Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sr.
Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, a Duterte ally, completed the Luzon poll, securing the support of 28% of voters in the region.
In the Visayas, Alyansa’s Erwin Tulfo and his brother Bienvenido topped the list with 53% and 41%, respectively. They were followed by Mr. Lapid (40%), Ms. Cayetano and Ms. Villar, who both got 39%.
Mr. Go and Mr. Dela Rosa followed with 34% each, and Ms. Binay and Mr. Pangilinan with 33% each. Completing the list for the Visayas were Mr. Aquino (32%), Mr. Pacquiao (31%) and Mr. Sotto (31%).
“In Mindanao, however, Duterte-aligned candidates lead,” WR Numero Research said.
It said 76% said they would back Mr. Dela Rosa, while 67% were voting for Mr. Go. They were followed by Duterte-endorsed candidates James Patrick R. Bondoc (45%) and Phillip R. Salvador (42%).
Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta and televangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy, also backed by the Dutertes, both got 40%.
Also among the Duterte candidates on the list were Victor D. Rodriguez with 34%, Raul L. Lambino wit 26% and Jesus V. Hinlo, Jr. with 23%.
WR Numero said 22% of Filipinos would vote for Party-list Rep. and independent candidate Bonifacio L. Bosita, while 21% backed Ms. Cayetano. Independent candidate Ariel O. Querubin completed the Mindanao list with 19%.
WIN FOR MARCOSAlso on Tuesday, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ordered his political party to rally behind Marcos-backed senatorial candidates, aiming for what he described as a “sweeping victory” for its candidates.
A win for the administration-backed alliance would secure Mr. Marcos’ legislative agenda, the Speaker, who is president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said in a statement.
“Please, just please, straight Alyansa,” he told an assembly of governors, mayors and lawmakers from his political party during a meeting at the presidential palace. “Let’s push for all of them, no one gets left behind. This is what our beloved President wants.”
“These are the right candidates,” he said. “We are choosing leaders who build, not break, leaders who legislate, not obstruct.”
Most candidates from the administration slate were present at the assembly held at Malacañang except Ms. Villar, according to the statement.
Mr. Romualdez is campaigning for the Marcos-backed Senate candidates to secure President Marcos’ political influence during the latter half of his term, Mr. Juliano said. “They would do this now to ensure they are not a lame duck, and also to ensure that the Senate will be closer to them.”
