Despite an unexpected second-place finish, Malacañang is unbothered by the result of a recent vice presidential preference survey, saying President Duterte is still the candidate to beat in the upcoming 2022 elections.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after President Duterte placed second in the Vice Presidential Preference survey of Pulse Asia. He is 11 points behind Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III who topped the survey with a score of 25.
In a statement, Roque said the result of the survey reflected the public's thoughts when the survey was conducted, which was from September 6 to 11, 2021.
"Surveys, we have to underscore, are snapshots of public opinion at a particular point in time," he said Wednesday, September 29.
"The latest Pulse Asia survey was done when aspirants have yet to file their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), and there are uncertainties on electoral bid," he noted.
However, Roque expressed confidence that the Chief Executive is still the person everyone should watch out for.
"Be that as it may, the President remains the candidate to beat in the 2022 elections," he said.
President Duterte has expressed his intention to run for vice president, citing his love of the country and his desire to continue his programs.
Senator Sotto was the first personality to officially declare his candidacy for vice president in the 2022 polls. He will be teaming up with Senator Panfilo Lacson who will run for president.
Duterte has twice acknowledged Sotto's desire to become vice president. He first joked about it in an event in Pampanga in July where he called Sotto "vice president" in his opening remarks.
During his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July, President Duterte said Senator Sotto can become a good vice president.