Vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's impressive showing in the surveys is reflective of her "untiring efforts and groundwork" during the campaign period.

Vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte talks to an ardent supporter (Lakas-CMD Media)

Thus, said Duterte’s spokesperson, Liloan town, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco in a statement Thursday, April 7, a day after Pulse Asia released the results of its March 17 to 21 survey.

"The further rise in Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s numbers showing her to be the people’s most preferred vice president, is consistent with her untiring efforts and groundwork throughout this campaign," Frasco said.

"Together with presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos, Mayor Sara continues to reach out to as many people as possible across all demographics. She is grateful to all our fellow Filipinos who have come out in record numbers to express their support for the Uniteam’s campaign of unity and hope," she said.

Duterte is the running mate of Marcos, who is the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer. The lady mayor chairs the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

The two comprise the so-called UniTeam.

"In the last month, the endorsements from President Duterte, the Nationalista Party (NP), the National Unity Party (NUP), and local parties, governors, mayors, and various sectors across the country, have also further galvanized support for the UniTeam.

"Mayor Sara is thankful for this, and she calls on all supporters of the UniTeam to continue the rallying call toward victory in the 2022 elections," added the Cebuana.

Pulse Asia’s latest survey showed that majority of Filipinos--56 percent--preferred Duterte as their vice president. Senate President Vicente Sotto III is a far second to Duterte with his preference rating of 20 percent.

Before the UniTeam launched its national campaign last Feb. 8, Duterte led a month-long, nationwide tour dubbed the "Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride" or MNPR, wherein she espoused messages of patriotism and unity all over the country.

The elections will take place on May 9.

#groundwork

Campaign groundwork put Sara on top of surveys--spox