By Erma Edera
Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and his running mate, former representative Amando Bagatsing topped the last survey conducted by Filipino-Chinese Independent Business Coalition (FCIBC).
Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada (FILE PHOTO / JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In the survey conducted on April 24-27, Estrada garnered 51.8 percent.
The non-commissioned survey also revealed that Estrada’s closest rival, former vice mayor Isko Moreno got 34.8 percent while former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim got 13 percent.
“If the trend remains unchanged, incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada will serve his third and last term while Manila will have a new vice mayor," the latest survey stated.
For vice mayor, Estrada’s running mate, Amado Bagatsing, he received 54.5 percent followed by incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna with 45 percent.
Marvin Manhit, FCIBC Chief research analyst said Estrada possesses a “magnetic” political appeal to the Manileños.
“If you will notice, both Isko and Lacuna served as vice mayors under Estrada’s leadership. Based on our assessment, anybody who will be the running mate of Mayor Estrada will win and it looks like Amado Bagatsing, who is also a veteran politician has the advantage over the incumbent,” Manhit said.
The FCIBC is the same private firm that released a study on 2016 which confirmed the slim chance of Estrada in winning the elections against Lim.
After the 2016 elections, Estrada received 283,149 votes while Lim got 280,464 with just 2,000 separating them.
“This time, we can foresee a commanding lead by Estrada against his opponent if the trend will continue, and we also expect landslide victory,” Manhit said.
Read more: Isko leads Erap in independent poll