IF POLITICAL SURVEYS are any indicator, the embattled Vice President Sara Duterte would easily win over the 2028 presidential derby — unless contenders consider a coalition that would see a singular bet for the country’s highest elective position.
In a Pulse Asia survey commissioned by the Office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, VP Sara garnered a whopping 43 percent voter preference, way ahead of Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo with 27 percent and Sen. Raffy Tulfo who landed on the third spot with 19 percent.
The survey, which was conducted from February 27 to March 2, also had three other “presidentiables” on the list of options — Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Aquino got five percent voter preference rating, Hontiveros had two percent and Remulla with one percent.
DUTERTE BAILIWICK
VP Sara’s commanding lead has been largely attributed to overwhelming support and family’s political clout in Mindanao where 88 percent of the respondents picked the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte in a six-way field of potential contenders.
The Visayan speaking vice president’s clout likewise covered provinces in the Visayas where she garnered 60 [percent voter preference.
However, VP Sara’s numbers declined in Balance Luzon, where she posted just 16 percent, and in Metro Manila, where she registered 35 percent.
VP Sara, who is facing impeachment complaints arising from a political rift with the administration, officially announced in February her intent to run for president in the 2028, with “Tapang at Malasakit” as her battlecry.
SPLITTING LUZON
Robredo and Tulfo’s numbers combined translates to a whopping 50 percent, which is seven points more than what beleaguered VP Sara garnered.
However, the former vice president and the incumbent senator halved the Luzon vote. Rebredo maintained political support in Balance Luzon with 44 percent while Tulfo got 26 percent.
In contrast, both Robredo and Tulfo showed dismal numbers in Mindanao. Robredo only got three percent in Mindanao, while Tulfo registered seven percent.
The island of Luzon, home to 12 of 15 Philippine presidents, has 55.95% of the voting population nationwide, with Visayas and Mindanao accounting for the remaining 44.05%.
The combined Visayas-Mindanao voting population, however, is also smaller than the voting population of what is referred to as the Balance of Luzon.
PAUPERS’ CHOICE
In determining winnability, the survey also took note of the socio-economic class choice for the next president.
Citing its own data, Pulse Asia said VP Sara remains the preferred candidate among Class E voters, where she garnered 64 percent. Insofar as Class D, the vice president kept 45 percent voter preference on the Class D category.
The so-called intelligent voters under the Class ABC clusters chose Robredo. She secured 45 percent which is more than double of Vo Sara’s 22 percent. Tulfo got 13 percent.
The incumbent senator, who comes from a family of media personalities, posted significant (but still trailing) numbers socio-economic classes. He got 20 percent in Class D and 18 percent in Class E.
