OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /
. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .
Our latest as of Monday, December 13, 2021
~ From surveys, news accounts, and film footages of their caravans, the groundswell of mass support appears genuinely spontaneous for the team of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Mayor Sara Duterte, the candidates for president and vice president, respectively of the Philippines in the May 2022 elections. Collectively referred to by the people as BBM-Sara, the duo has been a megahit among voters despite opposition attempts to capitalize on their parents' alleged wrongdoings.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBM-SARA ON THE MAY 2022 PHILIPPINE ELECTIONS
Their Team-Up Looks Like a Sure Winner
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
“Elections belong to the people.” - Abraham Lincoln
TORONTO - Vlogs after vlogs after vlogs, the groundswell of mass support is recorded in high definition videos by hundreds of citizens and citizen journalists in cities and towns in the Philippines visited by candidates Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Inday Sara Duterte, the duo popularly called BBM-Sara.
He is running for president; she for vice president, in the May 9, 2022 elections. Four other candidates - current Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayaor Isko Moreno - contest the top post. The winner will replace incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte who by law is termed out after six years in office.
Watching extensive video coverage on social media alone, the turnout wherever they go around looks spontaneous despite claims and counterclaims that some candidates are paying off crowds to show up at motorcades and gatherings.
Elections are five months away but the beating of partisan political drums are getting louder and louder such as it has reached the Toronto western suburb of Mississauga where supporters of Ms. Robredo early this month undertook a motorcade of about a hundred cars, after which they held a one-hour program described by organizers as "packed with cheers".
The gambit, initiated by locals who hail from Bicol (the region Ms. Robredo comes from), may have been influenced by her low ratings, poor media positioning, and a series of critical gaffes that put into question her leadership and management competence.
One survey by Publicus Asia Inc. published on Monday, December 13 in The Manila Times, showed that top contender Bongbong Marcos is way ahead of the pack while Ms. Robredo stays at a far distance.
"Over half of the respondents, at 51.9 percent, tagged Marcos as their preferred choice for president," the survey says. It was a 2.6 percent improvement from his previous score of 49.3 percent.
Compare that with Ms. Robredo's 20.2 percent and one can see why her supporters are drumbeating for her in every imaginable way, even here in Toronto.
The rest of the presidential candidates received the worst, namely, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno at 7.9 percent; Senator Bong Go (who has already withdrawn), 3.9 percent; Senator Panfilo Lacson, 3.4 percent; and Senator Manny Pacquiao, 2.3 percent.
Marcos's running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Duterte, was even more impressive.
The presidential daughter was the choice pick of 54.8 percent of the respondents. Her opponents in the vice presidential race are equally in the doldrums, namely, Dr. Willie Ong at 11.2 percent; Senate President Vicente Sotto, 11 percent; Senator Kiko Pangilinan, 9.7 percent; and Lito Atienza, 1.5 percent.
The survey findings appear to confirm what the many different vlogs are showing - a groundswell of support for the BBM-Sara team.
Among those rooting for Ms. Robredo in the recent Toronto initiative were known fans of another Bicolana, Loida Nicolas Lewis, national chair of US Filipinos for Good Governance, based in Virginia. She recently coordinated an interfaith prayer zoom for Ms. Robredo and a Global Filipinos for Leni Summit 3. (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved).
I really think BBM-Sara will win in a clean and fair polling. Opponents are throwing everything at them but the people know better now, according to sources in the homeland. More and more pundits insist that people are now able to compare FM tenure vs Aquino and post-FM presidents. Thanks to the internet, people are more informed and are able to do research, they say. It is hoped that they will not disqualify BBM and that a clean election will be conducted. Or else gulo na naman daw! Whew!
ReplyDeleteSluggo Rigor
Seattle, Washington
I am sure they WILL WIN !!!!
ReplyDeleteJesse Jose
Seattle, Washington