Binay top in Mabalacat

A survey by the IPolls Research Group shows Vice President Jejomar Binay is leading the presidential race based on the trust and approval ratings gathered by students here during a 10-day survey from December 12 to 21.

The survey did not focus on the winnability of the candidates but on their acceptability by voters, based on the lone question "Sino sa mga sumusunod na kandidato ang inyong pinagkakatiwalaan?" (Whom of the following candidates do you trust?)

In the random survey conducted on 3,360 respondents in the city's 27 barangays, Binay garnered 738 or 22 percent followed by Liberal Party bet Mar Roxas with 682 or 20 percent. Senator Grace Poe came in third with 573 or 17 percent; Rody Duterte with 544 or 16 percent; Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago with 505 or 15 percent; while 318 were undecided.

Among the candidates for vice president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. topped the survey with 842 or 25 percent followed by Senator Francis Escudero with 763 or 23 percent. LP vice presidential bet Leny Robredo landed at the third slot with 614 or 18 percent; Senator Allan Cayetano with 315 or 9 percent; Senator Gringo Honasan with 263 or eight percent; and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 92 or three percent. A total of 471 or 14 percent were undecided.

Reelectionist First District Representative Joseller "Yeng" Guiao bagged 2,031 or 60 percent while rival Jonjon Lazatin hauled 1,076 or 32 percent. About 253 or eight percent were undecided.

Meanwhile, the same respondents gave their approval and confidence to incumbent Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales who garnered 2,117 or 63 percent of the respondents followed by Noel Castro with 846 or 25 percent. Board Member Cris Garbo of Kambilan landed in the third slot with 213 or six percent; Pyra Lucas with 79 or two percent while 105 or three percent were undecided.

The positions for governor, vice-governor and vice-mayor of Mabalacat City were not included in the survey since the reelectionists have no opponents in the upcoming polls.