Charles Teves
Quezon City mayoralty candidate Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor was criticized for claiming that it is “statistically impossible” to beat Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential bet Fedinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. in the surveys for the May 9 polls.
“It is now statistically impossible to overtake Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte in time for the May 9 elections, which is just over a month away. This shows that the message of unity that has espoused by both Marcos and Duterte has truly stricken a chord with Filipinos,” Defensor said in a statement Thursday, April 7.
Defensor’s statement came following the latest Pulse Asia survey which has Marcos winning 56 percent of voter preference. He said Marcos’ feat was unprecedented, citing surveys conducted in past elections at this time in the campaign.
“There has never been a survey lead like that Marcos’s in the past wherein one could say at this point, ‘May nanalo na (We already have a winner),’” said Defensor.
Duterte also leads the vice-presidential survey with Senate President Vicente Sotto III coming in second.
UniTeam noted that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had a 3-percentage point lead over Fernando Poe Jr. during the 2004 election.
Benigno Aquino also had a 19-percentage lead over President Joseph Estrada. Similarly, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte had an 11 point lead over former senator Mar Roxas.
“In the subsequent April surveys, Macapagal-Arroyo’s lead increased to 6 percent points, Aquino’s to 19 percentage points, and Duterte maintained his 11-percentage point lead,” Defensor said.
“Based on this historical data, there is no stopping Marcos from scoring a convincing victory on May 9,” he added.
Celebrities tuning in on national politics had a lot to say about Defensor’s latest remarks.
History shows Filipinos were able to oust a powerful Marcos in 1986, and to defeat his son in 2016. Historical data also shows they're the world's biggest thieves in government. https://t.co/spNtYxbJHa
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) April 7, 2022
I am sorry, but you are not qualified to declare "statistical impossibility". https://t.co/wVMqJrwcw4
— Peter Cayton, the Stats Guy (@PJACaytonPhD) April 7, 2022
Defensor is losing the mayoral race to Joy Belmonte but denied it despite the numbers.
Mike Defensor on Marcos' 32-point lead over Leni: Malayo na e.
Mike Defensor on Belmonte's 16-point lead over him: We are "statistically tied."
🙃🙃🙃🙃 pic.twitter.com/cLmJG4j88E
— Prinz Magtulis (@prinzmagtulis) April 8, 2022
Netizens slammed Defensor as well.
https://twitter.com/Cassieous/status/1512295366737096711?s=20&t=s8xX7KBPZ0O8beGWWOmyTQ
Historical Data – YES…
BUT WE WILL MAKE HISTORY!There's always a first time!#LeniRobredo2022 #Momentum #Kakampink#LeniKiko2022 https://t.co/5SRV9tlRad
— Roel De Jesus (@loeroel21) April 7, 2022
Who tf gave Mike Defensor, a peddler of Ivermectin for COVID-19, any statical authority https://t.co/GrN6nGy9zI
— David Raphael | #NoToParex (@AHazardLeap) April 7, 2022
