Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, who decided not to run for any public office in next month’s elections, predicts a landslide win for former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. after recent survey results still showed a wide lead over Vice President Leni Robredo three weeks before the polls.
During Monday’s Kapihan ng Samahang Plaridel media forum at the Manila Hotel and moderated by veteran journalist Jullie Yap-Daza, Singson, president of the League of Municipal Mayors of the Philippines, said majority of local mayors were supporting Marcos.
“Former Senator ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara have the support of 80 percent of the incumbent mayors nationwide and also the majority of the governors and congressmen,” predicted Singson.
Singson revealed he originally supported Sen. Manny Pacquiao with whom he had a falling out due to excise taxes on tobacco that Singson claimed benefitted several tobacco farmers in the Ilocos region.
Singson switched to supporting Marcos, whose campaign machinery was much more organized this year than in 2016, he said.
“I expect BBM to get more than 50 percent of votes,” Singson said. “Much more than what [President] Duterte got in 2016.”
Meanwhile, Mindanao governors have vowed they will not allow Marcos to be deceived in the coming May 9 elections.
This came after Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu Sunday called on all local officials who support Marcos not to be complacent and to protect the votes cast by their constituents.
There are 2.1 million registered voters in BARMM and Mangudadatu predicted that Marcos could get 70 percent of the votes in the coming elections.
“Your ARMM region, now known as BARMM, is used for frauds in those areas. There has been no election there without fraud,” Mangudadatu said.