Estrada leads Isko in a different survey

Mayor Joseph Estrada maintained his lead in Manila’s mayoral derby, based on the survey of a data and research firm owned by business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.

The study, conducted by Probe Data Processing and Research Services (PDPRS) of Metro Pacific from March 18 to 22, was made public on the same day PUBLiCUS, Inc., a political consulting firm, released the results of its non-commissioned research where Estrada’s closest rival and former Vice Mayor Isko Moreno emerged on top.

Of the 1,800 respondents asked about the candidate they want to lead Manila in the next three years, 45.9 percent preferred Estrada, 34 percent said Moreno and 17.8 percent mentioned ex-Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Independent candidate Francis Villegas as well as Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, who is not running for mayor, both garnered 1 percent.

Moreover, 2.2 percent said they are still undecided.

For vice mayor, Estrada’s running mate, Amado Bagatsing, received 49.6 percent compared to Moreno’s tandem, incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña, who earned 46 percent.

Others such as Elmer Jamias and Manoy Verlie Anoñuevo had 1 percent each.

PDPRS is the same group that did two consecutive mayoralty surveys in Manila in December 2018 and last February where Estrada both ranked first.

In a statement, Estrada thanked his constituents for the continued trust to govern the city of Manila.

Moreno, meanwhile, welcomed the results of the PUBLiCUS survey.

“The election is still weeks away and the campaign period hasn’t even started yet, but more and more Manileños have now thrown their support for our dreams and aspirations.We are thankful to the Lord and to all Manileños for their warm support, and we assure everyone that we will strive to reach and hear out every Manileño in the coming campaign period,” he told Manila Bulletin Thursday.

Moreno vowed to shun corruption and work earnestly to serve the people of Manila if he gets elected.

“Of course, to level up the political discourse, we intend to run a campaign that is based on our platforms, our aspirations, and our dreams to raise the quality of life of every Manileño. We have concrete working plans for senior citizens, education, employment, housing, waste management, and health care, among other sectors,” he said.

“We in Asenso Manileño, our local political party, are confident with what we have to offer, and we hope more Manileños would join us in building a new and better Manila,” he added.

Domagoso, who had been Manila vice mayor from 2007 to 2016, had aborted his plan to run for mayor when former President Joseph Estrada first sought the mayorship of Manila in 2016. (With a report by Erma R. Edera)