WHILE political pundits wrap their heads around the chart-busting numbers the UniTeam posted in Pulse Asia’s latest pre-election survey, it has become apparent that the tandem’s call for unity resonates with the poor.

According to the January 2022 Pulso ng Bayan pre-election survey results, presidential candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. posted a staggering 60% voter preference, a 7% jump from his already high 53% voter preference last December 2021.

Pulse Asia conducted the fieldwork for the pre-election survey from January 19 to 24, 2022, and utilized face-to-face interviews with 2,400 respondents.

A breakdown of the survey results by economic classes showed that Marcos’ message of unity is widely accepted and supported by those belonging to the CDE classes, the poorest and marginalized in Philippine society.

Marcos’ numbers showed a wellspring of support from Class C voters, where he obtained a 50% voter preference.

Among Class D voters, Marcos got 61%, an increase of 7% from 54% in December 2021. Meanwhile, Marcos posted 56% in Class E voters, logging another 7% rise from 49% in December 2021.

His running-mate, vice presidential candidate Inday Sara Duterte registered 53% voter preference among Class C voters.

Inday Sara’s numbers also improved among Class D, where she posted 49%, up from 44% last year. Sara also chalked up 55% of Class E voters from 48% in December 2021.

Political observers note that the upcoming May 9, 2022, national elections is shaping up to be a runaway race in favor of the UniTeam, with their latest survey figures seemingly poised to go even higher.

In a rally in Quezon City on Monday, Marcos said that his call for unity had become a movement, calling it ‘Kilusan ng Pagkakaisa’ and encouraging everyone to join.

“Ito ang ating panalangin, ito ang ating pangarap, ito ang ating layunin para sa ating bansa — itong pagkakaisa. ‘Pag ito’y nagawa natin, ‘pag ito’y napagpatuloy natin ang kilusan ng pagkakaisa, ay papasikatin natin muli ang Pilipinas, papagandahin na naman natin ang Pilipinas at haharap tayo sa boung mundo,” Marcos said .

Marcos’ spokesperson and chief-of-staff Atty. Vic Rodriguez recently issued a statement thanking the Filipino people for their unwavering support for Marcos and his message of unity. He added that the UniTeam presidential bet remains humble amid improving survey numbers.

“Numbers don’t lie and it is humbling to know that our message for national unity is resonating among the overwhelming majority of the Filipino people,”

“Indeed, we are glad to know that Filipinos are now ready to unite as a people, a signal that the Philippines is geared to claim her greatness once again,” Atty. Rodriguez added.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Pulse Asia Research Director Ana Maria Tabunda said that a possible explanation for Marcos’ improved survey numbers is that other candidates may have lost votes to him.

“Well, I guess he got some of Leni Robredo’s votes and possibly some of the votes from the other candidates,” Tabunda said.

Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes also confirmed that Marcos’ 60% voter preference was the highest ever posted by a presidential candidate in the polling firm’s history.

“In Pulse Asia since we started tracking pre-election preferences for the Presidential race, yes this is the highest,” Holmes said in an interview with ANC.

Marcos’ presidential candidacy has been reaching one milestone after another, starting from his proclamation rally last week at the Philippine Arena attended by 30,000 people and watched by millions online.

Some political pundits said the UniTeam’s proclamation rally could be the most attended in recent memory.