The Commission on Elections on Sunday reminded Filipinos that opinion surveys should not be seen as a predictor of the results of the 2022 elections, which is one year away. They are "snapshots of the present."
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said the filing of certificates of candidacy for national candidates is still five months away, and there are no final political formations yet.
"Surveys are snapshots of the present, not the oracle at Delphi," Jimenez said on Twitter.
The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 9, 2022 elections is slated for Oct. 1-8, 2021.
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A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, would likely succeed her father if the elections were held during the survey period of Feb. 22 to Mar. 3.
She is followed by former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (13%), Sen. Grace Poe (12%), Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (12%) and Sen. Manny Pacquiao (10%). Vice President Leni Robredo herself got 7% while long-time presidential aide Sen. Senator Bong Go garnered 5%.
Like Jimenez, political analyst Ramon Casiple has also urged caution to Filipinos about reading election surveys. He said a survey done today simply reflects the pulse of the people when the questions were asked, and will not necessarily reflect on the outcome of the May 2020 vote.
"Surveys show who the people are thinking of voting. It's not the survey that determines the outcome of the election," Casiple said.
"The best time to know the possible result of that would be the time just before election," he added.
