THE party of Manila mayor and presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso yesterday downplayed the latest results of the Pulse Asia survey showing a decline in support for him across all classes.
Ernest Ramel Jr., national chairperson of Aksyon Demokratiko, said he could not believe that Moreno’s support would falter considering the enthusiastic welcome he and his team receive in their campaign sorties.
“I find it improbable. Medyo ang layo naman ng 4 and 20. I don’t think that’s an accurate number,” Ramel said.
The Pulse Asia survey in which Moreno garnered only 4 percent voter preference rating, down from his March rating of 8 percent, also saw decline in support across all geographical areas and economic classes.
The biggest drops recorded on Moreno’s support were seen in Mindanao and among the poorest Filipinos, Class E — which both showed 6-point declines.
Moreno has been counting on the support of the poorest Filipinos, often recalling his journey from a scavenger to actor to being a politician as proof that one can succeed in life.
Ramel also denied that the Easter Sunday joint press conference by Moreno with fellow presidential candidates Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales where he called on Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw from the presidential race could have turned off his supporters.
He said Moreno’s call on Robredo to withdraw even energized his supporters and fired up his base and campaign.
“It fired up the pace. There were a lot of groups that switched to Mayor Isko so I don’t think that’s a result of the Easter press conference,” he said.
Among the major issues that hogged the headlines during the time the latest Pulse Asia survey was conducted was Moreno’s call on Robredo to withdraw and his subsequent attacks on her and her supporters, as well as calls on former senator and survey frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his family to pay the P203 billion in estate tax liabilities to the government.
Ramel also cited the results of the Manila Bulletin-Tangere mobile survey showing Moreno at 20 percent, second to Marcos Jr., as of April 22. The Tangere survey was conducted at roughly the same time as Pulse Asia’s.
Marcos also placed first in the Tangere survey with 52 percent, while Robredo was in third place with 18 percent.
Moreno had said he is determined to compete till the last minute of the campaign period if only to instill to the public that he can give the people peace of mind and a better future if given the chance.
“If you want peace of mind, come and join us, I will give you peace of mind. Ako, walang kaaway, don’t misunderstand our sheer will to compete because this is just a simple competition. And I will compete up to 11:59 p.m. of May 7,” Moreno said.
Last Sunday, Moreno urged his supporters to go out and redouble their efforts in the remaining days of the campaign period, or until May 7.
In a related development, Moreno was a no-show at a media interview preceding his planned Quezon City motorcade yesterday. His running mate, Willie Ong, said Moreno attended an important meeting.
