What if Tito Sotto is the only one that can stop Sara Duterte from winning? – #BotongPinoy2022

According to pre-election surveys, Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio remains comfortably ahead in the vice presidential race. A poll conducted by the RP-Mission and Developmen Foundation from January 22 to 30, 2022, for example, shows that Duterte-Carpio received the support of 52% of respondents. Her huge lead mirrors the continuing dominance of her running-mate former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in the presidential race.

Duterte-Carpio’s nearest competitor is Senate President Vicente Sotto III who got the support of 36%. Senator Francis Pangilinan is at a distant third place with just 6%. Sotto is the running-mate of Senator Panfilo Lacson while Pangilinan is running under Vice President Leni Robredo. Curiously, it appears that Sotto is getting significant support from voters who are not leaning toward Lacson. On the other hand, Pangilinan is not getting all the support Robredo is getting.

Apparently buoyed by her high survey ratings, Duterte-Carpio is now looking ahead into what she will do once in office. Last month, Marcos revealed that Duterte-Carpio wants to serve as defense secretary if their tandem wins by May – and he has expressed willingness to give her that post. As defense secretary, Duterte-Carpio will have control over the Philippines’ national security apparatus.

And to further underscore her interest in the position, the presidential daughter even mentioned that she will push for the implementation of mandatory military service if she is elected. Obviously, the feisty Davao City mayor would not want to be relegated to a ceremonial role as Vice President.

This should serve as a sobering reminder to stakeholders who want to prevent Duterte-Carpio from being a heartbeat away from the presidency. If they are convinced that she must be stopped at all costs, then it appears that Sotto is better-positioned to defeat her given Pangilinan’s pitful ranking in surveys.

This is not to say that Sotto’s atrocious legislative record atrocious will already be forgotten, including his steadfast opposition to the reproductive health law and the proposed anti-discrimination benefiting lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders. However, if the choice is between him and Duterte-Carpio, then it may be necessary to set aside past battles for now to defeat the monsters that pose an existential threat to the nation’s survival.

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Mark Pere Madrona

The Filipino Scribe (TFS) is managed by Mark Pere Madrona, a multi-awarded writer and licensed professional teacher from the Philippines.

Mr. Madrona earned his master’s degree in history from the University of the Philippines-Diliman last 2020. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism cum laude from the same university back in 2010. His area of interests includes Philippine journalism, history, and politics as well as social media.

Know more about him here: https://www.filipinoscribe.com/about/.

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