Bohol Poll 2012 conducted by the Holy Name University Research Center indeed confirmed information aired on radio stations that Bohol’s first district representative Rene L. Relampagos is way ahead in the race for the congressional seat of the first district of Bohol. Relampagos leads against three other hopefuls for the first district congressional seat for the 2013 elections. The survey showed that Relampagos was the choice of 61% of District 1 voters as first district representative, as the rest of the votes were shared by Dan Lim, Cesar Lopez and Roberto Salinas at 13%, 10% and 5%, respectively. Between Relampagos and Lim, two thirds (66%) voted for Relampagos and only a few (6%) voted for Dan Lim in the balance District 1.The poll further showed that even the city of Tagbilaran preferred Relampagos over Lim.

It was further indicated that “in the urban areas of District 1, half (49%) of District 1 voters voted for Relampagos while 26% voted for Lim. In the rural areas of District 1, a majority of 69% voted for Relampagos while only few of the votes were distributed among Lim (5%), Lopez (9%) and Salinas (6%).” A majority of those aware of each personality voted for Relampagos (65%, 63%, 63% and 59%) for District 1 representative as the rest of the votes were distributed among Lim, Lopez and Salinas. “The awareness levels of Rene Relampagos and Dan Lim were tied at 95% and 91% respectively. Lagging far behind were Cesar Lopez (61%) and Roberto Salinas (31%). Relampagos’ awareness level was consistently high across variables while for Lim’s, his awareness was relatively low in the 25-34 age group at 78%,” according to the survey.

This poll also confirmed what people most apparently see as the top reason for voting Relampagos: “He has done or completed a lot of projects”. He was also voted for being a good leader, being approachable, having more experience in politics and governance, giving financial assistance to sick people, giving scholarship grants, “roads were cemented”, and many other various reasons. According to the same survey, six out of ten (64%) District 1 voters said they were satisfied with Relampagos as First District Representative. High net satisfaction rating were noted in Balance District 1 (+63), Rural (+61), class E (+66) and 25-34 age group (+62).

The first district is made up of one city (Tagbilaran) which accounts for twenty percent (20%) of the total number of votes in the district and fourteen (14) towns which accounts for eighty percent (80%) of the total number of voters in the entire district. Relampagos has been known for his efforts in pushing for much needed projects for the first district: road improvements, botika sa barangay/purok project, REAP/CHED scholarship grants, medical and financial assistance, just to name a few. He has also been noted for playing significant roles and very much involved with issues of great national importance such as former CJ Corona’s impeachment trial, pushing for the completion of the new Bohol Airport and bringing home much needed funds for various programs for the different needs of the first district. (by Jill Christianae A. Rendon)