Go, Bato lead senatorial bets poll in Davao

a survey by the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM) showed that Seven out of 10 Dabawenyos would vote for Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in the 2019 midterm elections. (File Photo: University of Mindanao/Wikimedia, FAL)

MANILA — Seven out of 10 Dabawenyos would vote for Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in the 2019 midterm elections, a survey by the Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) of the University of Mindanao (UM) showed.

Despite his disinterest to seek elective office, the survey showed that 76 percent of the polled Danawenyos would vote for Go as their top senatorial choice.

He was followed by former Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Ranked 3 to 6 in the polls were Grace Poe, Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara, and Aquilino Pimentel III, according to a Sunstar report published on August 18 that quoted UM Assistant Vice President for Research and Public Center, Dr. Ma. Linda Arquiza.

Arquiza made the statements in a media forum held at the “Habi at Kape” on Wednesday. The news report, however, did not state the number of survey respondents.

The same institute noted that most of the Dabawenyos believe Mayor Inday Sara Z. Duterte is ready for national politics.

“The mayor obtained 84 percent readiness for the midterm elections in 2019. It was noted that 49 in 50 or 98 percent of Danawenyos can bet on the mayor’s experience in politics, making her ready for the national position,” Arquiza was quoted as saying.

Senators Cynthia Villar and Nancy Binay tied for the 10th to 11th spot, said Arquiza. She did not mention any names for the seventh, eighth and ninth rankings.

However, if Mayor Sara runs for senator, “the 12th spot is readily taken out from the counting,” Arquiza said.

On Thursday, Pimentel, president of the country’s ruling political party, bared PDP-Laban’s proposed senatorial lineup for the consideration of party chairman President Rodrigo Duterte.

Among them are Go, Pimentel himself, dela Rosa, and Mayor Sara.

Pimentel’s letter to the Chief Executive also included Villar, Angara, JV Ejercito, Poe and Binay, described as “generally supportive of the administration.” (PNA)