Lim, Jaz lead Joe, Veloso in survey

Mayor Dan Lim and Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol Montes lead their potential rivals going into the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacies for the May 14 elections. Lim is expecting a rematch with old nemesis, former Mayor Jose Torralba while Montes expects to be challenged by Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso. A survey conducted by the Holy Name University (HNU) showed that both Lim and Montes posted impressive leads over their potential rivals. The survey was conducted from Feb. 11-19.

According to the survey, Lim gathered the support of 63% of the respondents against 29% for Torralba. Of the total number of respondents, 2% said they will not vote for either of the two while 7% were either still undecided or refused to reveal their preferences. Lim posted impressive showings in the barangays of Bool, Manga, Tiptip, Dampas, Booy, Poblacion II, Poblacion I, Mansasa, Dao, Ubujan and Poblacion III. Torralba was slightly ahead in Cogon and was leading comfortably only in Taloto. The two were dead even in San Isidro .

The same survey revealed that if the elections were held today, Montes will win in all but two barangays. Montes was ahead in Bool, Poblacion 3, Cogon, Dao, Dampas, Booy, Manga, San Isidro , Taloto, Poblacion II, Mansasa and Ubujan. Veloso was ahead only in Tiptip. The two candidates were deadlocked in Poblacion 1. The survey was conducted prior to the decision of the Lakas NUCD to junk Montes in favor of Veloso. Observers said it did not yet reflect the sentiments for or against the move to junk Montes. At the same time, the survey did not yet consider the possibility of a Lim-Montes team up that is shaping up at this time.

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