Senatorial candidate and incumbent Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero on Thursday declared that presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will most likely win in the May 2022 national polls if he maintains his huge lead in the surveys by next month.
“If numbers in surveys will not change by next month, chances are Bonget (BBM) will win it,” Escudero said, referring to all the formal and informal surveys where Marcos was leading by huge margins from his rivals.
Escudero issued the statement during an interview at his residence, a day before the caravan and grand rally of Marcos’ UniTeam in Sorsogon, which he will be hosting.
This developed as Escudero reiterated his earlier statement that Marcos should not be disqualified in the presidential race by virtue of several disqualification cases filed against him by critics before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“I don’t know BBM’s case in the disqualification case, but I prefer the 64 million voters to decide than the seven Comelec justices and 15 Supreme Court justices,” Escudero said, adding that Marcos’ case must be decided by the people in the May 9 elections.
Going back to survey results, Escudero has advised the BBM camp to double its efforts in sending its message to the people and not just rely on survey numbers because “it is not over until the fat lady sings.”
“Don’t stop because it’s just a survey. That is just a snapshot of the opinion of our people on who they will vote for when the survey is taken. It is possible and still possible to change,” Escudero stressed.
Escudero also maintained that he will not endorse any presidential and vice-presidential candidate stating that everybody is welcome to campaign in his province.
“It is not for me as the governor of our province to vote for our countrymen. I want them to see and get to know everyone who is running personally so that they can also personally evaluate who will be their favorite and will be voted and supported,” Escudero explained.
“I believe they all have the ability,” he said.
However, he admitted that of all the presidential candidates, he was closer to Marcos, who is his long-time friend and godparent to his first marriage.
“Actually, I’m closer personally to Bonget (BBM’s nickname) than to Vice Pres. Leni. Just how I addressed him, I guess, already shows who I’m closer to. One being addressed with the title, the other using a nickname that’s only his close friends used,” Escudero said.