Jamora in ‘virtual tie’ with Mabilog in mayoralty race
Undersecretary Larry Jamora, candidate for city mayor, is now virtually tied with the so-called leading candidate in the mayoralty race, according to the result of a survey conducted by a Manila-based firm commissioned by the Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN) media network.
The said survey showed that Jamora has substantially gained on the frontrunner with a score of 35 percent as against Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog’s 39 percent. With surveys having a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent, statisticians consider the result as a virtual tie between the two leading candidates. Sec. Raul Gonzalez Sr. got 19 percent while the undecided was at 7 percent.
The result of the survey conducted by the Manila-based firm reflects the observation of many that the mayoralty race in the city is much closer than is projected by the survey of a local firm whose credibility has been question by certain sectors.
The survey by the Manila-based firm was conducted a week before the official start of the local campaign period last March 27. According to RMN anchorman Novie Guazo the local survey was part of a nationwide pulse survey commissioned by the RMN national headquarters to find out how the national candidates are faring as well as the candidates in closely contested areas. The survey in Iloilo City was conducted in 120 barangays with 10 respondents per barangay.
The said survey confirms what many sectors could already attest to, Jamora has turned the tables on his opponents. Jamora’s great surge is undeniable even in the local surveys.
Early indicators from various surveys show that Jamora, who was way back in the race in pulse surveys conducted last year, has climbed steadily while Mabilog is on an apparently irreversible freefall. Earlier, Gonzalez enjoyed a steady rating at around 25% until this recent decline.
Political analysts view the survey results in favor of Jamora as the combination of a growing acceptance of the former LWUA Administrator’s credibility as a candidate, his above-par performance in the various forums hosted by the media and other organizations, and his well-defined platform of government which is absent in the other camps.
Punong Barangay Rafael Palmares of Magsaysay, La Paz also disclosed that Jamora is also fast gaining converts from the camps of both Gonzalez and Mayor Jerry Treñas. “They are coming to us in large numbers,” said Palmares.
On the other hand, Jamora’s ratings could actually be much higher. Raul Liberiaga, the number one Kagawad in Tanza-Bonifacio and a member of the Couples for Christ movement, said Jamora is the choice of the religious sector, particularly Christian communities such as Couples for Christ, Singles for Christ, Knights of Columbus, and Barangay sang Virgen.
Devout parishioners, Liberiaga added, know that the Jamora family are very religious and have been quietly helping the poor through their charitable foundation, the Iloilo Two Hearts Foundation. “These people do not usually participate in political discussions and their views are not represented in the surveys,” said Liberiaga.
Another group that shies away from political debate is the business sector whose members are considered, traditionally, as fence sitters in any electoral exercise. Last March 26, however, over 300 big and medium-scale businessmen, traders, bankers, and other professionals in the commercial sector openly identified themselves with Jamora in a business forum held at Hotel del Rio. “This is unprecedented in local politics,” said Koko Trompeta, a member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals in Iloilo. “Local businessmen do not usually show their true political colors.”
With election day still more than a month away, all trends indicate that Jamora will emerge victorious on May 10.
