Senatorial candidate Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero continues to dominate the May 2022 senatorial race as he is now among the preferred candidates that Thomasians are choosing for the upcoming May 2022 elections.
According to a university-wide survey conducted by Varsitarian, the official publication of the University of Santo Tomas, Escudero was chosen by 65.1 percent of the 4,401 respondents comprised of students from various faculties, colleges and institutes of UST.
According to its website, the Varsitarian conducted the survey via Google Forms and used a randomized cluster sampling method wherein students were selected randomly based on the determined sample size for each college, faculty, or institute.
The survey was conducted from February 20 to March 20, 2022. It has a ±1.7 percent margin of error at a 98.3 percent confidence level.
According to the publication, 68 percent of the respondents are first-time voters in the upcoming polls.
First year students who completed the survey comprised 22.3 percent of the total respondents; sophomes, 23.2 percent; juniors, 24.5 percent; and seniors 21.5 percent.
Fifth year students comprise 1.1 percent of the survey, while postgraduates students are at 7.4 percent. There are 18 faculties, colleges and institutes that particated in the survey.
Escudero is seeking a fresh six-year mandate in next month’s polls and has been a consistent favorite among students as indicated by surveys and mock elections held by various colleges and universities across the country.
He is also the No. 1 choice for senator among respondents in the survey conducted by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), which is composed of more than 1,525 member-schools.
He is, likewise, the top pick senatorial bet in a recent mock election among students from Sorsogon State University (SSU), reaffirming his strong leadership and solid track record and accomplishments as chief executive of the province.
Among the personalities endorsing Escudero’s Senate comeback are President Duterte, his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, presidential candidates Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Manny Pacquiao and Vice President Leni Robredo.
President Duterte, in endorsing Escudero’s senatorial bid, said he believes the governor will play a big role in crafting key pieces of legislation and reforms at a time when the country is besieged with challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.