Vice Mayor Rommel “Meng” Agan topped the Mayoral Survey conducted by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University through its electoral engagement arm, #dAZurv. The survey, which also covered other local positions, was open to all members of the university community, and was conducted online from April 29 to May 4, and was released yesterday, May 7.
Agan topped the mayoral survey at 48%, enjoying a 32.4% lead against Councilor John Dalipe, who earned 15.6% of the votes. Former Mayor Celso Lobregat followed with 8.4%, Congressman Cesar “Jawo” Jimenez earned 7.8%, and Cesar Climaco Jr earned 4%. No data was given on the remaining three candidates, while 17.9% said they are undecided.
Councilor Josephine “Pinpin” Pareja led the vice mayoral poll with 24%, a narrow lead over Councilor Benjamin “BG” Guingona IV who earned 22.3% and former Councilor Melchior Sadain who earned 19%. Councilor Elbert “Bong” Atilano, who runs alongside Agan, did not enjoy the same lead as his running mate, earning only 5% of the votes. The remaining candidate, Jul Julmunier, earned 1%, while 29.1% said they are undecided.
In the race for Congress in the city’s first district, Mayor Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco earned an overwhelming lead with 53.5%, more than half of the total votes. Councilor Khymer Olaso followed with 12.1%, while Atty. Wendell Sotto trailed behind at 2%. Taib Nasaron and Al Alibasa each earned 1%. In the city’s second district, Incumbent Congressman Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe led the survey with 36.6%. Following behind were Councilor Juan Climaco “Kim” Elago with 18.3%, Liga ng mga Barangay President Jerry “Totong” Perez with 7.5%, and Mohammad Sali Ammang with 2%.
An overwhelming majority of respondents from both districts said they are undecided about their bets for city councilor. Atty. Gian Paolo Enriquez, Councilor Joselito “Lit-lit” Macrohon, and San Jose Gusu Barangay Captain Joel Esteban earned the top three spots in the survey for the first district; while Former Councilor Roel “Elong” Natividad, Vicente “Vino” Guingona, and Cacao Barangay Captain James Siason led the ranks in the survey for the second district. Eight councilors from each district are to be elected in the upcoming polls.
In preparation for the elections, an orientation for election volunteers was conducted yesterday, May 7, by the United Front for Honest, Orderly, Peaceful Elections (UF-HOPE) through #dAZurv. Volunteers were reminded of the different protocols and precautionary measures to be observed in all polling stations, which will be open to the public from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, May 9.
