Still for Duterte, but for Magpale and Davide

My small group of political analysts and I made a quick survey in sample in Dumanjug (the Garcias' bailiwick), Argao (Davide's turf), and Ronda (supposedly neutral for now because the former incumbent mayor and vice mayor were assassinated). Aside from the three poblacions, we selected three sample barangays in each town. In Ronda; Vive, Langin, and Liboo. In Dumanjug; Bulak, Tapon, and Look. In Argao; Talaga, Alambijud, and Taloot. The questions were whether they support/ approve of Duterte, Robredo, Gwen Garcia, Agnes Magpale, Davide, and Salimbangon. They were made to rate on a scale of 1 as lowest to 10 as highest. Twenty sample respondents were asked per barangay and 100 per poblacion or a total of 480 respondents.

Argao ratings revealed: Duterte 8.5, Robredo 4, Garcia 3, Magpale 7.8, Davide, 9.85, and Salimbangon 1.8. Dumanjug: Duterte 7.2, Robredo, 4.1; Garcia 7.9, Magpale 6.9; Davide 7.1, and Salimbangon 3.2. Ronda: Duterte, 9.1, Robredo 2.6; Garcia 6.1; Magpale 7.1; Davide, 9.5, and Salimbangon 2.8. Overall average for the three poblacions and nine barangays are Duterte 8.26, Robredo 3.56; Garcia 5.6; Magpale 7.26; Davide 8.81 and Salimbangon 2.6. If elections are held now, the winners shall be Magpale for governor and Davide for vice governor. The vice gubernatorial contest is a walk in the park for Jun-jun Davide. What is interesting is that the president is still very popular in southern Cebu. It is also amazing that Garcia is ahead by a slight margin in Dumanjug but Davide is far ahead of Garcia in Argao. They are not eyeing the same post but this is actually their fight.

Here are some remarks favorable to the Magpale-Davide tandem: Maligdong silang duha, walay mansa, dili arrogante, daling duolon, matinabangon, sincero kaayo. Ang ilang pamilya dili dynastiya. Natabangan g'yud nila ang akong anak. Ang duha dili palaaway, hilom lang dili pagarpar, silent achiever, do not advertise their accomplishments, true public servants, honest, religious, God-centered, they have solid family not like other candidates with broken marriage and family. We like Agnes because she is not very ambitious but waits for her turn even when she is older than Davide.

There were also negative comments about this team: Davide too slow, too laid back. Hinay lihok. Magpale edaran na. Davide hadlokan mo-decide, too slow in decision-making. Not risk-taker.

For Garcia-Salimbangon, here are good remarks: Dynamic, passionate, kugihan, decisive, action-oriented. Risk taker and brave. Negative comments: Tainted by the Ombudsman issue, with pending disqualification case, may not be able to assume even if she wins. Family dynasty, too many Garcias in politics, too many enemies. Palaaway. Salimbangon is unknown entity, just shines in the shadow of her father, no known track record.

For the president, here are some of the remarks: Maayo nalang may mikontra sa druga, isog ug way kolokahadlok, presidentenng Bisaya garbo nato nga taga Cebu. Negative comments: Ayaw palabi ug pamalikas, Manoy Digong. Ayaw awaya ang simbahan kay dako ikatabang sa imong administrasyon. Robredo? She is a little-known element.

This is a private survey by students in masteral and doctoral courses in politics and political science. They have a thesis and I will continue to guide them and we will proceed to the northern towns. No politician is allowed to tamper with the results of our survey because this is a purely academic exercise. Those who are hurt should understand that truth really hurts. But many things can happen between now and the 2019 elections. We can never be sure.