Marcos tops OCTA presidential opinion poll for February

MORE than half of Filipinos would vote for the only son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos for president, according to a poll by the OCTA Research Group.

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. got 55% in OCTA’s Feb. 12  to 17 poll, which interviewed 1,200 adults, it said in a statement on Monday.

Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo was far behind with 15%. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso was third with 11%, followed by boxing champion and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao with 10% and Senator Panfilo M. Lacson with 3%.

Mr. Marcos was the most preferred candidate in Metro Manila with 55%. He got a 56% for the rest of Luzon island, 47% in the Visayas and 65% in Mindanao, OCTA said.

Ms. Robredo scored 12% in Metro Manila, 18% for the rest of Luzon, 24% in the Visayas and 4% in Mindanao.

OCTA said 29% of the respondents said they would choose Mr. Domagoso should their first choice for president drops out of the race. He was followed by Ms. Robredo (16%), Mr. Marcos (13%), Mr. Pacquiao (12%) and Mr. Lacson (11%). The poll had an error margin of ±3 points.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio was the top pick for vice-president, with 43% of Filipinos backing her. She was followed by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III with 33%, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan (10%) and cardiologist Willie T. Ong (7%).

Antique Rep. Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda was the top choice among senatorial bets, followed by broadcaster Rafael T. Tulfo with 63%, Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano with 61%, reelectionist Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri with 60%, Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero with 59%, and former Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar with 56%.

Actor Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla was seventh with 43%, followed by reelectionist Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian and former Vice-President Jejomar C. Binay with 39% each, reelectionist Senator Risa Hontiveros with 38% and ex-Senators Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Jr. (27%) and his brother Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito (35%). — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza