Majority of Metro Manila mayors up for reelection next year appeared as the most favored candidates, a recent RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. survey showed.
According to the November 16–24 poll, 67 percent of respondents in Pasig will vote for incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto while 32 percent preferred Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo.
Mayor Joy Belmonte received 62 percent of the vote among respondents from Quezon City, while Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor got 30 percent.
Other incumbent mayors who received substantial support include Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar (85 percent), Makati Mayor Abby Binay (88 percent), Pateros Mayor Ike Ponce III (82 percent), Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano (80 percent), and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (75 percent).
Mayor Marcy Teodoro of Marikina City also inched ahead of Rep. Bayani Fernando at 48 percent and 41 percent, respectively.
In Manila, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna emerged as the top candidate, garnering 48 percent of the votes over former Rep. Amado Bagatsing’s 31 percent and Alex Lopez’s 14 percent.
Additionally, the survey found that relatives of incumbent mayors were preferred candidates in certain locations.
Rep. Dale Malapitan of Caloocan, who is fighting to succeed his father, Mayor Oscar Malapitan, received 71 percent of the vote, compared to the 28 percent of Rep. Edgar Erice.
Weslie Gatchalian of Valenzuela earned 85 percent of the vote for the position to be vacated by Mayor Rex Gatchalian, who is running for Congress.
Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. received 84 percent of the vote in Mandaluyong. He is seeking the position of vice mayor in place of his daughter-in-law, Menchie Abalos.
John Rey Tiangco of Navotas and Lani Cayetano of Taguig, both seeking re-election as local chief executives following one term in Congress, obtained 77 percent and 63 percent of votes in their respective cities.
Rep. Eric Olivarez of Parañaque received 65 percent support in his bid to replace his brother, outgoing Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
In Muntinlupa City, last termer Rep. Ruffy Biazon received 63 percent of voter’s preference against Marc Red Marinas, who received 29 percent.
However, in Malabon, Councilor Enzo Oreta — brother of outgoing Mayor Antolin Oreta – is trailing behind former Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval at 40 percent and 48 percent, respectively.
According to Dr. Paul Martinez, executive director of RPMD, incumbents are traditionally at an advantage.