MAYOR Emi Calixto Rubiano joined four other Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in the National Capital Region who were given high marks by their constituents with regards to their performance in the last 364 days most especially in the way they responded to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus and in alleviating the plight of residents in their respective areas of responsibility.
The latest Pulso ng Pilipino survey results of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER) conducted on July 3 to August 6, 2020 listed the LCEs rated highly by residents in cities such as Pasig City Mayor Victor ‘Vico’ Sotto (91%), Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno Domagoso (84%), Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon ‘Rex’ Gatchalian (81%) and Pateros Mayor Miguel ‘Ike’ Ponce III (76%).
Rubiano placed fourth with 79% of the respondents in Pasay City saying they are satisfied with her performance in the past 364 days.
The non-commissioned electronic survey of The Center for the period covered has a confidence level of 98% and a margin of error of 2.5% . The survey covered 1,200 respondents throughout the NCR region.
Moreno, with his drive to clean Manila and turn it into the premier metropolis the way it was before, earned 84% satisfaction rating with only 16% of Manilans saying they are not satisfied.
Gatchalian who is known for his visibility and availability in Valenzuela was given 81% as against only 19% who are not satisfied.
Rubiano who is on her first term after having served Pasay City for three terms as the city’s lone representative was given 79%. The high performance satisfaction rating given to Rubiano was primarily based on the effective delivery of the so-called 11 minimum basic needs or MBNs. Residents apparently are satisfied with how the Pasay City delivered on its services.
Over the years, Pasay City has slowly emerged from the shadows of being the sin capital of Metro Manila. It now hosts several five-star hotels that cater exclusively to foreign tourists, and world-class shopping malls.
The city also operates the City University of Pasay and is home to the Department of Foreign Affairs and several foreign embassies, the World Trade Center, Cultural Center. The three international air transport terminals are also within the territorial jurisdiction of Pasay City.
The other LCEs who figured prominently in the Pulso ng Pilipino survey are: Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro (75%), Makati Mayor Abigail Binay Campos (72%), Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco (67%), Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos (62%), San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora (61%), Muntinlupa Mayor Jimmy Fresnedi (54%), Taguig Mayor Lino Cayetano (51%), Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez (44%), Las Pinas Mayor Mel Aguilar (41%), Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta III (38%), Caloocan Mayor Oca Malapitan (36%) and, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (33%).
One of the many ways to validate the perception of the public towards public servants especially those who are elected into office is to actually ask them about their preferences with regards to their choices during elections.
The Center which coordinates the Pulso ng Pilipino survey included this third question as a barometer to measure the public’s perception of the LCEs in their respective areas with regards to their chances of getting reelected in 2022.
Respondents in the 16 cities and one municipality were asked if they will vote for the reelection of their incumbent LCE or Mayor if the scheduled election on May 9, 2022 will be held today.
As expected, Sotto again topped the survey with 84% of respondents in Pasig saying they will vote for Sotto if he will run for reelection. Only .04% said they will not vote for him while .09% said they are undecided.
Isko Moreno of Manila is the preferred choice of 83% of the respondents and only .09% said they will not vote for him and .08% said they don’t know. While there are rumors suggesting Moreno may seek the presidency in 2022, this report was dismissed by those close to Moreno who said he may opt to serve the three terms as mayor of the country’s capital.
Some 79% of the respondents in Pasay City said they will vote for Rubiano if she will run for reelection in 2022. Rubiano in 2019 garnered 64% of the 189,480 registered voters who voted on May 13, 2019 which was exactly the same figure reflected in the results of the Pulso ng Pilipino pre-poll survey released by The Center on May 2, 2019.
Political observers in Pasay City said Rubiano may yet run unopposed after she trounced in 2019 the only remaining viable candidate who pose a threat to the Calixto political machinery. The only variable, they said, is if there will be someone from the same party as the Calixtos who may be emboldened to contest the mayoralty post although such is unlikely as of this moment.
Other incumbent mayors or LCEs who are assured of getting reelected are: Abby Binay-Campos with a 68% probability of reelection, Ike Ponce III (61%), Marcy Teodoro (54%), Menchie Abalos (49%), Toby Tiangco (45%), Lino Cayetano (41%), Francis Zamora (39%), Imelda Aguilar (34%) and Joy Belmonte (32%).
Of these incumbents, Belmonte has to redouble her efforts in the remaining months of her current term to recoup the popularity and public support she may have lost in view of the many missteps that her administration has committed particularly during this COVID-19 crisis.
There are five incumbents who are currently serving their third and final term and thus are not eligible for reelection. They, however, stand a good chance of getting elected if they will seek the legislative post in their respective cities. They are: Oca Malapitan, Lenlen Oreta III, Jimmy Fresnedi, Edwin Olivarez and Rex Gatchalian.
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