Survey says

IN OCTOBER last year, a Manila-based pollster conducted a survey on the congressional race in the third district of Pampanga. The seat is now contested by Cong. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, the defender, and Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez, the challenger.

Congressman Dong is a re-electionist seeking for a second term, while Mayor Oca is a three-term mayor of the City of San Fernando who wants to go back to the previous political position he held for several years, before he became the local chief executive of the province’s capital city.

The survey shows Cong. Dong “beating” Mayor Oca. The former got a high 75 percent of the vote versus the 20-plus percent of the latter. It also revealed that the incumbent congressman is the “winner” in all towns, “overwhelmingly” beating the challenger except in the city that is governed by the incumbent City Mayor Oca where Cong. Dong “won” over a slight margin.

Many analysts blame Cong. Dong’s “winning” in the survey on the much anticipated decision of Mayor Oca then on what position he will aspire, since there were speculations before that the political affiliation he belongs to, the Liberal Party (LP), was really bent on convincing him to run for governor against the incumbent governor, Lilia “Nanay” Pineda.

Many Kapampangans thought Mayor Oca was aiming his shots for the Capitol leadership, until the last day of the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy where it was finally revealed that he will be pushing to regain the position he once held for many years.

With Mayor Oca’s final declaration of his bid, following his filing of COC, his mass base at the 3rd District were awakened, knowing that they will be mobilized come campaign time. Their loyalty to Mayor Oca never faded.

Meanwhile, Congressman Dong’s bolting out from the Lakas-Kampi Party was said to have weakened his candidacy and bid for re-election. Many critics now question his loyalty to his former political party and eventually his loyalty to the people he serves.

His separation from Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former president of the republic, is still a factor that many Kapampangans consider.

As to the latest survey, Mayor Oca has gained ground, and is now leading over Cong. Dong. He has overturned the previous survey where the winning result was once held by the latter.

While it’s still a long way to go before the elections, the latest estimate is a good factor for Mayor Oca. There’s good vibes that will most likely yield to good results.

With the achievements and accomplishments of the multi-awarded city mayor, he has the magic of wooing the votes in the district. The city his show window to the constituencies he once served for many years.

The latest poll survey is perceived to create a bandwagon that will make the ball rolling in favor of Mayor Oca for the congressional post.

Surveys are mere surveys but they sometimes produce the end results based on the figures they present. The real survey is the election itself as it reveals the final score of personalities aspiring for positions.

Let’s wait and see then the results of the final survey come May 13.

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