Survey shows frontrunners in NCR mayoralty race

Six incumbent local chief executives in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be facing stiff competition from equally well-known political adversaries in the coming 2022 elections, an independent non-commissioned survey showed in a report by Manila Times.

Three of them, however, Quezon City Mayor Josefina "Joy" Belmonte, Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis "Vico" Sotto, and San Juan City Mayor Francisco "Francis" Zamora will likely be reelected, according to the NCR Mayor: Pulso ng Bayan 2022 survey from May 20 to May 30, 2021.

Conducted by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMDinc), the survey covered eight cities, namely: Quezon, Manila, Pasig, San Juan, Caloocan, Paranaque, Muntinupa and Malabon.

Belmonte obtained an approval rating of 38 percent against four possible challengers -- broadcaster Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo, former Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Constantine Bautista, former Rep. Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo and Anak Kalusugan party-list Rep. Michael "Mike" Defensor.

It showed that if elections were to be held today, Belmonte would handily be re-elected with 38 percent, followed by Tulfo wity 25 percent, Bautista, 13 percent; Crisologo, 10 percent, and Defensor, 8 percent.

Sotto garnered a weighty preference of 67 percent against his possible match with former mayor Robert "Bobby" Eusebio who got 28 percent, while Zamora got 48 percent against Janella Ejercito Estrada who received a 30 percent rating.

In Manila, incumbent Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah"Honey" Honrado Lacuna, an ally of Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, is highly favored with 46 percent as against the 33 percent of a formidable opponent Rep. Manuel "Manny" Lopez, son of former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez.

Domagoso was reported to be considering running for higher office.

In other cities, Caloocan Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan, who tapped his son Rep. Dale "Along" Malapitan to run for mayor, obtained a 53 percent rating, He will be up against Rep. Edgar "Egay" Erice who got 36 percent.

Outgoing Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez's brother Eric Olivarez, currently a congressman, will run for mayor. With a 35 percent rating, Eric Olivarez is behind challenger and former congressman Gustavo "Gus" Tambunting who has a 50 percent rating.

In Muntinlupa City, Rep. Rozzano "Ruffy" Biazon got a 57 percent rating against former mayor Aldrin San Pedro's 23 percent.

Last termer Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian of Valenzuela City will run as congressman in the first district while another Gatchalian will seek the mayor's post unopposed.

Re-electionist Metro Manila mayors -- Carmelita "Menchie" Abalos of Mandaluyong City, Lino Cayetano of Taguig, Mar-len Abigail "Abby" Binay of Makati City, Imelda "Emi" Calixto of Pasay City, Tobias "Toby" Tiangco of Navotas City, Imelda "Mel: Aguilar of Las Pinas and Miguel "Ike" Ponce 3rd of Pateros are perceived to be running unopposed.

Dr. Paul Martinez of RPMDinc said the survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 5,000 respondents from the eight cities.

The respondents were asked a direct question and presented with a list of possible candidates as to who will be their preferred choice as mayor.