Duterte expects more attacks from rivals amid steady survey surge

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. WILLIE LOMIBAO / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is expecting more attacks from his rivals after his numbers continue to surge in recent surveys, his camp said on Wednesday.

“We have seen our numbers getting even bigger to validate what we are seeing on the ground: The rallies that are getting bigger and louder, the defection of forces from other fences to our side, the growing legions of volunteers–and of course, the thousands after thousands of people migrating to the cause of Real Change and Tapang at Malasakit, the campaign slogans of Duterte,” Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s national campaign manager said in a statement.

But Evasco said their camp was bracing for more mudslinging as Duterte’s ratings continue to rise.

In the latest “The Standard Poll” conducted by Laylo Research Strategies, Duterte took the lead with 30 percent. He, however, was in a statistical tie with Sen. Grace Poe who had 27 percent.

READ: Duterte leads in new Standard poll

“We believe that his popularity now is the reason why the Aquino administration has unleashed a string of attacks against Duterte, hoping that they can prevent his surge. That he is the presidential candidate to beat is becoming clearer and clearer for his rivals now, a truth courtesy of the Filipino people whose overwhelming show of love for Rody is enough to drown even the most finely orchestrated of attacks,” Evasco said.

Duterte’s camp said they were now getting closer to victory as they thanked the Filipino people for their support.

READ:  Duterte camp ‘thankful for people’s support’ after topping survey

“Slowly, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring victory not only for Rodrigo Duterte but for the Filipino people who are desperate for change, desperate to end criminality, poverty and corruption that hounded the nation so long now,” Evasco said. CDG