Marcos widens lead in Laylo Research’s January opinion poll

FORMER Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. continued to widen his lead in Laylo Research’s latest presidential opinion poll.

His voter preference rose by 6 points from November to 64% in the Jan. 17 to 23 poll, the son of the late dictator said in a statement, citing the poll, which had 3,000 respondents.

“Notwithstanding the seemingly endless barrage of mudslinging and negative campaigning against him, Filipino voters’ support for Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. remains solid,” according to the statement.

At a very distant second was Vice-President Maria Lenor “Leni” G. Robredo with 16%. Tied for third place were Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso and boxing champion and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao with 7% each. Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson was in fourth place with 4%.

Meanwhile, Ms. Robredo visited the provinces of Camariñes Norte and Sorsogon in the Bicol region to woo voters on the second day of the campaign period on Wednesday.

“The results of the 2022 polls will determine the kind of politics and governance Filipinos want,” she said at an event, according to an emailed statement from her office.

Ms. Robredo also visited Camariñes Norte’s Labo town, where she asked voters to support her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan and her Senate slate.

After Camariñes Norte, she went to Sorsogon’s Gubat town and Sorsogon City, where she was welcomed by senatorial bet Francis Joseph G. Escudero.

His father, Salvador Hatoc Escudero III, served as Agriculture Secretary under the administration of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Mr. Escudero is the main author of the law compensating martial law victims. He ran in the 2016 vice-presidential race but lost to Ms. Robredo.

Ms. Robredo held a proclamation rally in Naga City on Tuesday night, reiterating her plans to form an inclusive government.

During her stint as a representative of Camariñes Sur, she filed bills seeking to end political dynasties and mandating government offices to disclose financial transactions.

Also on Wednesday, Senator and presidential bet Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson vowed to run a “very disciplined campaign,” citing the potential spread of the coronavirus at political sorties.

“That is precisely the reason why we intend to run a very disciplined campaign,” he said in a Viber message. “Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and I have agreed to abide by the alert level protocols being imposed by local governments that we will visit like the kick-off campaign rally that we held in Imus, Cavite yesterday.”

The presidential palace has said the 2022 campaign would not spur a fresh surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections as long as health protocols are enforced.

“We are also confident that the Commission on Elections will enforce the guidelines, rules and regulations when it comes to the campaign to ensure that we will not have superspreader events,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said.

The Lacson-Sotto tandem on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte. Mr. Sotto’s son, Vice Mayor Gian Carlo G. Sotto, is the vice mayor.

Mr. Lacson and Mr. Sotto later went to the Quezon City Memorial Circle where their senatorial bets relayed their platforms. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan