LOYAL supporters of former congressman Winston ‘Winnie’ Castelo could be praying he would continue his campaign for the vice mayoralty in Quezon City this time around.

During the last local polls, Castelo dropped his bid for the second top government position in the City of Stars to the surprise of many especially his avid backers. It was his first attempt for the executive post.

Nevertheless, observers believe there’s no more turning back now for the multi-awarded lawmaker given the fact that he is leading his opponent by a wide margin.

A recent survey indicated that 43 percent of the voters in Quezon City opted for Castelo while 22 percent chose incumbent vice mayor Gian Sotto who won in the last elections in the absence of the former congressman.

Analysts said there’s a growing clamor for a ‘working’ vice mayor in the biggest city of the country.

A quick review of Castelo’s profile and achievements suggests he fits the description.

Meanwhile, Castelo’s running mate Mike Defensor has widened his lead over Joy Belmonte in the race for mayor.

Results of the latest Pulso ng Bayan survey conducted by The Issues and Advocacy Center said in its December 13-19 survey, 51 percent of the city’s voters favored Defensor while 32 percent are for Belmonte.

It said 15 percent of the voters are undecided.

In the previous Pulso ng Bayan survey done September 27 to October 8, Defensor was preferred by 41 percent of voters while Belmonte was picked by 27 percent.

Quezon City is the country’s largest city in terms of assets, population, and voters.

The latest survey was conducted a week after former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio held a huge motorcade in Quezon City.

Defensor is the mayoralty candidate of the tandem of Marcos Jr., who is running for president, and Duterte-Carpio, who is gunning for the vice presidency.

Responding to the survey results, Castelo said “there’s no question voters are embracing Mike as a dynamic leader and problem-solver who can get lot of good things done for the residents of Quezon City.”

As a Cabinet member during the Arroyo administration, Defensor held various portfolios – from Malacañang chief of staff to housing secretary.

“In our sorties, Mike has demonstrated the ability to understand and share the aspirations of voters for improved local governance and a better quality of life for every household,” Castelo said.

“Of course we are also being buoyed by the fact that we have the support of the most popular presidential and vice presidential candidates,” Castelo said, referring to Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio.

Meanwhile, in Quezon City’s congressional races, the survey results showed that Defensor’s allies – incumbent Representatives Anthony Peter “Onyx” Crisologo (first district), Precious Hipolito-Castelo (second district), and Allan Reyes (third district) – are bound to win fresh mandates from their constituents.

Crisologo is favored by 46 percent of voters versus Arjo Atayde’s 23 percent.

Hipolito-Castelo enjoys 43 percent voter support compared to Wendel Tulfo’s 25 percent.

Reyes is preferred by 41 percent of voters against Franz Pumaren’s 25 percent.

In the fourth congressional district, Defensor’s candidate, Councilor Marvin Rillo, is in a virtual tie with reelectionist Rep. Jesus Suntay, with 36 percent and 39 percent voter support, respectively.

Suntay is the lone sitting congressman backing the Belmonte-Sotto tandem.

In the fifth district, Defensor supporter Rose Lin and rival Patrick Vargas are also locked in close fight, at 31 percent and 33 percent voter support, respectively.

In the sixth district, another Defensor ally, former Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo, has 43 percent voter support versus Marivic Co-Pilar’s 24 percent.

Quezon City had 1.33 million registered voters in the 2019 mid-term elections.

The Commission on Election has yet to announce the exact number of people registered to vote in Quezon City in the May 9 elections.

However, the poll body earlier reported that the total number of Filipinos registered to vote countrywide in the forthcoming polls increased by 6.3 percent to 61.84 million.

Assuming Quezon City’s registered voters increased at the same 6.3 percent rate, the city now has 1.41 million voters.

**

For comments, please call or text 09569012811 or email [email protected]