SENATORIAL candidates of the administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” slate cannot be complacent despite their good standing in pre-election surveys, their campaign manager said yesterday.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco was referring to the April 10 to 16 Tugon ng Masa senatorial survey of OCTAResearch, which showed the 11 Alyansa candidates in the winning circle.
“As we enter the final stretch, we must work harder, we call on our supporters to stand firm and push harder. This is a fight for a better, stronger, and more just future. Together, we will win it for every Filipino,” Tiangco said in a statement. “
Tiangco said the administration ticket is grateful for the result of the survey, calling it “a clear affirmation that Filipinos trust our vision of a Senate that delivers real reforms, defends our sovereignty, and drives the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ agenda of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.”
The latest OCTA survey showed Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS) ranked first to second overall with a commanding 61.2 percent voter preference, underscoring the growing strength of the Alyansa team.
Tulfo is statistically tied for first to second places with Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go of the former president’s “Duterte10” senatorial candidates.
The survey, which involved 1,200 adult respondents with a ±3 percent margin of error, showed that Go would have topped the elections if the May midterm polls were held today with a 64.2 percent voter preference (from 64 percent in March), followed closely by Tulfo with a 61. 2 percent voter preference (from 61 percent).
Other Alyansa candidates also had strong showings, with former Senate president Vicente Sotto III ranking third to eighth place with 43.3 percent, while former senator Panfilo Lacson got a third to 10th place ranking with 39.7 percent.
Sen. Pia Cayetano was at third to 10th place with 39.5 percent; Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. (fourth-10th, 38.7 percent); and Sen. Lito Lapid (fifth-11th, 36.9 percent); Makati City Mayor Abby Binay (fifth-14th, 35.7 percent); Rep. Camille Villar (10th-18th, 30.4 percent); and former senator Manny Pacquiao (10th-18th, 30.3 percent).
Also in the winning circle are former Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos (11th-19th, 28.8 percent) and Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino (11th-19th, 27.7 percent).
With only two weeks left before the May 12 midterm elections, Pacquiao ramped up his campaign in Mindanao, visiting Mati City in Davao Oriental, where his grassroots-driven campaign centered on countryside and rural development drew overwhelming support from both ordinary citizens and powerhouse political blocs.
Pacquiao on Monday laid out his legislative agenda in the city, where he promised free housing for indigent families, aggressive anti-corruption reforms, and the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“If we want change, we have to start in far-flung areas – the unheard and unseen. Progress can’t only happen in major cities,” he said in Fiipino.
He also visited in Tagum City, engaging with key Mindanaoan leaders, including Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, to discuss synergies for regional development.
Grassroots groups and local political leaders have thrown their support for Pacquiao, a son of Mindanao, who used to represent Sarangani province in the House of Representatives.
Pacquiao has often cited his humble beginnings in General Santos City, saying national progress “hinges on inclusive governance that leaves no community behind.”
Also last Monday, Lacson campaigned in Panglao in Bohol where he won the endorsement of Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who lauded the former senator as “very qualified” and for giving the people a voice in the Senate during his terms as senator from 2001 to 2013, and 2016 to 2022.
Villar also brought her campaign to Bohol where she thanke Taglibaran Mayor Jane Yap for endorsing her senatorial bid last weekend when she joined the Saulog Festival.
Villar paid homage to their patron saint, St. Joseph, the Worker, which she sees as an inspiration for “hard work, loyalty, and strong faith.”
She also vowed to prioritize infrastructure projects to help promote tourism and boost development during her visit in Bohol.
“I’m one with you in pushing for improving tourism and livelihood for our countrymen here in Bohol,” she said in Filipino.
