Joe III survey lead re-affirmed
Independent pollsters confirm Espinosa’s commanding edge in Iloilo City congressional race
ILOILO City – The scholars behind a series of independent surveys have verified their findings and vouched for Atty. Joe III Espinosa’s imminent victory in the election for
Iloilo City’s lone congressional district.
The graduate students are from some of the country’s top universities, including the Ateneo de Manila University,
University of San Carlos and the University of the Philippines in Diliman, as well as the United Nations-linked University of Peace, based in San Jose, Costa Rica.
T h e s c h o l a r s a l s o expressed serious concerns over the survey apparently commissioned by the camp of Espinosa’s political opponent.
when she visited last Dec. 3, while around 40,000 supporters went to her grand rally in Iloilo City on Feb. 25.
“Kahit wala kami dito ni Senator Kiko, talagang lahat kayo nagpapagod. Nag-umpisa po tayo sa mga lugawan, nagkaroon tayo ng mga motorcade, nagkaroon
po tayo ng malaking rally dito noong Feb. 25. Kahit po wala na kami dito, tuloy-tuloy ‘yung paghouse- to-house ninyo,” Robredo told the crowd of over 3,000 in Santa Barbara.
At her second stop in Iloilo City, in the event dubbed “Grand Pasasalamat” at the La Paz Football Field, Robredo thanked the volunteers and supporters from Panay Island who participated in the province-wide house-to-house campaigning on Tuesday.
“Parang first time in history na nagha- house-to-house ang para Presidente saka Bise Presidente. Bakit po kailangan nating gawin ito? Dahil ang pinakakalaban natin ngayon, fake news saka kasinungalingan,” she said.
Her supporters turned the small gathering into a festive people’s rally, with over 6,000 trooping to La Paz to see her.
The local officials were in full support, with Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur
“Toto” Defensor Jr., and his father, former Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Sr. rallying the crowd to give it their all for Robredo’s presidential bid.
“A vote for Leni is not a vote for her interests, a vote not to enrich herself in power. It’s a vote for good governance. It’s a vote for the people oppressed, for the people who have been victims of human rights, a vote for the poor, the hungry, and the sick,” the elder Defensor said.
“A vote for Marcos is a vote for the possible restoration of dictatorship,” he continued in a mix of Hiligaynon and English, adding: “Never again, never again, never again!” The crowd chanted with him.
Treñas and Sen. Franklin Drilon joined Robredo in her caravan, as she traversed the towns of Santa Barbara, Pavia and the La Paz District in Iloilo City in the afternoon. They also raised Robredo’s hands, along with
Iloilo 2nd District’s Rep. Michael Gorriceta, Iloilo 3rd District’s Rep. Lorenz Defensor, and Iloilo City’s Rep. Julienne Baronda.
With only a few days left before the May 9 national polls, Robredo made an appeal to the crowd:
“Sana po i hirit pa natin ‘yung kaya nating ihirit. Konting tumbling na lang. Pag hinusayan natin, ang susunod kong pagbalik dito, magpapahatid na ko sa