Lacson, Sotto ‘sad’ over ‘mind conditioning’ effect of pre-election surveys

Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III speak to reporters after their consultative meeting with sectoral groups in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan — Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III are not happy about the “mind conditioning” impact of pre-election surveys.

In the wake of results of the latest Pulse Asia survey, Sotto pointed out that the pre-election poll only captures a “snapshot” of the day or days the survey was conducted.

Sotto, who is running for the vice president in the May election, garnered 24 percent in the February 18-23 voter-preference survey that involved 2,400 respondents.

Lacson, who is running for president, was at fifth place with just two percent.

“Pagpalagay na natin ikaw ay someone who looks at surveys as ika nga eh Bible truth, it is merely a snapshot of that day. We must remember it is merely a snapshot of that particular day or days. It does not mean that that will be the snapshot on May 9,” Sotto told reporters in an interview after their consultative meeting with sectoral groups here.

(Let’s say that you are someone who looks at surveys as Bible truth, it is merely a snapshot of that day. We must remember it is merely a snapshot of that particular day or days. It does not mean that that will be the snapshot on May 9.)

“Basta [But] as far as I know we will finish strong. We are confident,” he added.

But when asked how pre-election surveys “condition” the mind of voters, Sotto admitted: “Yan ang malungkot [That’s the sad part].”

Lacson echoed his running mate’s sentiment.

“Yun ang malungkot [That’s saddening]. Mayroong maski papaano mind conditioning na nangyayari. Kami, basta’t maghintay kami ng election [There’s somewhat mind conditioning happening]. For us, we will wait for the day of the election],” Lacson said.

‘Solid North’ sorties

Lacson and Sotto were at the second stop of their visit to “Solid North” provinces this week. On Monday, they visited the province of Isabela.

According to Sotto, the public’s reception to his tandem with Lacson has been “overwhelming.”

“As a matter of fact, I’m elated, I’m surprised,” the Senate’s top leader said.

“Pinakamaganda hintayin na natin ang May 9, makikita talaga natin kung merong Solid North dahil pagdating sa amin…maganda ang feedback na nakukuha namin…‘Di ako kinakabahan na di kami tinatanggap. Sobra nga e. Overwhelming,” he added.

(The best thing to do is to wait until May 9, we can see if there is really a Solid North because, for us, we’ve received good feedback. We were not nervous that we wouldn’t be welcomed. It’s been overwhelming.)

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