With less than a month before voters cast their ballots on May 9, Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero remains among the top favorites of students to win the senatorial race, according to campus mock polls conducted by at least 33 colleges and universities across the country.
Results of the campus mock elections have solidified Escudero’s footing as one of the preferred candidates among more than 60 aspirants vying for the 12 seats in the Senate, and maintained his position within the winning circle.
In at least three universities—La Salle University-Ozamiz, Sorsogon State University, and Philippine National University-Mindanao campus—Escudero was the No. 1 choice for senator among their students.
Students from Adamson University, Ateneo de Naga, Ateneo Law School, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Batangas State University, Bicol University, Cagayan State University-College of Allied Health Sciences, Cor Jesu College of Law, Divine World College of Calapan, Far Eastern University, Gordon College-Olongapo, La Consolacion University Philippines, Mindanao State University (MSU)-General Santos City, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, and MSU-Main Campus in Marawi City said they would vote for him if elections were held on the dates the mock polls were conducted.
Escudero is the only incumbent governor who is seeking a Senate seat.
Escudero, the only incumbent governor who is seeking a Senate seat, was also preferred by students from the National Teachers College-Student Government, National University, Philippine Normal University (PNU)-Manila, PNU-North Luzon, PNU-South Luzon, PNU-Visayas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila, Rizal Technological University, Saint Mary’s University, San Beda University College of Law, University of the Philippines, University of Nueva Caceres, University of San Agustin- Bacolod, University of St. La Salle, University of St. Louis-Tuguegarao, University of Santo Tomas (UST), University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and Xavier University-Cagayan de Oro City.
In an opinion poll conducted by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), which is composed of 1,525 members, he was the top choice of students and school personnel who participated in the survey.
A former senator for two terms, Escudero said he would focus on giving more autonomy to local government units, ensure the judicious and prudent utilization of the annual budget, and help transition the pandemic-weary economy to recovery, among others, if elected again.
“Escudero 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.”
President Rodrigo Duterte has endorsed Escudero’s senatorial bid, saying 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.
Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio, is personally backing Escudero’s Senate comeback bid.
The tandems of Senator Ping Lacson and Senate President Tito Sotto; Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan; and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Rep. Lito Atienza have adopted him in their senatorial slates.
Mayors from CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Eastern Samar, who belong to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), have likewise endorsed Escudero.
Several party-list groups are also supporting his Senate return bid, namely Ang Probinsyano, Ang Kabuhayan, Agimat, An Waray, ARISE, BHW, BTS, Kusog Bikolano, KAPUSO-PM, and Uswag Iloilo, as well as the 200,000-strong Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), one of the biggest non-government organizations in the country.
