True to the dictum politics is addition, V-Gov. Julius Ceasar Herrera pole vaulted to the number one spot in the online survey for Bohol governor initiated by DyRD-AM. But the radio station was quick to doubt the latest survey results saying that unseen hands were in the works to create the impression that Herrera is leading the race. But if figures do not lie, Herrera did pull off a come from behind attack to overtake his closest rival Cong. Edgar Chatto in the gubernatorial derby during the last three days of the on-going on-line voting on DyRD AM. Another survey, this time, through the courtesy of the Sangguniang Kabataan-- Bohol also showed the same trend as the radio station. In the DYRD survey, the vice-governor scored 353 votes or 54% of the total 644 votes cast. Chatto and Montano got 192 or 30% and 100 or 16%, respectively as of 8 AM of January 23, 2010.

Herrera also scored high in the SK survey with 71.7% while Chatto was far behind with a measly 20.8% and Montano, 7.5%. Herrera runs under the banner of Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar while Chatto is with Lakas-Kampi-CMD with Defense Sec. Gibo Teodoro. Montano runs under the banner of the Liberal Party of Senator Noynoy Aquino. In the vice-gubernatorial race, lawyer Tomas Abapo, Jr. is also leading with 327 votes (62%) over incumbent Board Member Concepcion O. Lim with 109 votes (21%)Dr Elpidio Jala placed third with 90 votes or 17% in the online poll. On another poll, this time in the first district congressional contest, City Councilor lawyer Oscar Glovasa was the favorite among the on-line voters, scoring 284 votes (57%). His opponents then governor Rene Relampagos got 183 (37%) and City Councilor Edgar Kapirig polled 30 votes or 6% or a total of 497 votes cast. In the 2nd district congressional contest, incumbent Gov. Erico Aumentado leads the way to retake his old seat. He got a whooping 345 votes or 73% while mortal enemy Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes got only 99 or 21% of the 474 total votes cast in the DyRD survey. No survey result was posted in the 3rd district congressional race considering that Agriculture Sec. Arthur C. Yap of the Lakas party is unopposed. Voters may just log-on www.dyrdam.com and www.skbohol.com to cast their votes.

FLYING VOTERS EXPOSED

Meanwhile, a news story sent by DYRD-AM to the Post showed the following reaction to Herrera's lead in its own online survey: In a bid to improve the rank of their favored bets in the local elections, a widely circulated "instruction slip" asked people to use several email addressed in order to vote repeatedly. This scheme was known when a copy of the slip reached the studios of station dyRD last Friday narrating the "technical guide", including the specific instructions saying "so as not to waste our votes if we are to send the text again, resend the text vote after a lapse of time. Also, multiple sim number are encouraged." With this scheme done, a person can vote as many times as he can thereby creating an effect of having "flying voters" in the on-line survey. The instruction slip specified that senders should cast their votes to Julius Herrera for governor and Tomas Abapo, jr. for vice governor.  The same slip spceified the instruction to use public computers at computer cafes or shops for multiple votes.

PRE-CAUTION DONE

The on-line survey at the website of dyRD instituted measures that votes cast from the same senders will be rejected in the computer system so as to maintain the credibility of the survey.  During the past two weeks, the trending showed the people's preference for governor, vice governor, congressmen, city mayor and city vice mayor.  However, because of this advisory to register more votes for their favored candidates, the results are expected to shift from the previous trend.
In the Jan 17 tally, Rep. Edgar Chatto maintained his lead over Vice Gov. Julius Herrera in the gubernatorial race.  Out of the 230 respondents, Chatto garnered 103 votes (45%) followed by Cesar Montano with 72 votes (31%)  and Herrera, third with 55 votes (24%) After reports on the massive "instructional campaign" for Herrera and Abapo got implemen, the results as of 7:30pm last night showed a sudden shift giving Herrera the lead over Chatto.  Out of 654 respondents, Herrera ranked first with 365 votes (55%), Chatto, 198 votes (30%) and Montano, 100 votes (15%)  In the vice gubernatorial race, Abapo ranked first with 328 votes (62%), Concepcion Lim, 114 votes (21%) and Elpidio jala, 90 votes (17%).

ADVISORY

In order to serve the purpose of the on-line survey, dyRD News & Public Affairs advised the public not to resort to "flying voting," meaning one sender should vote only once. Casting more than one vote for each sender will only create an unrealistic survey result which will not serve the purpose of the candidates to monitor the real preference and trend of the voters.