Lasallians have spoken and made their sentiments known ahead of the 2022 presidential polls in May.
Based on a survey conducted by the University Student Government of DLSU-D, 2,832 members of the Lasallian community which include students, faculty, and staff participated in the "USG Poll Upshot: Presidential and Vice Presidental Preference of the DLSU-D Community."
According to USG President Niña Marie Ligan, they were initially hesitant to conduct the poll after observing that there were too many surveys conducted through Facebook reactions in the previous months. However, the officers were encouraged by a professor to pursue the poll as part of the USG’s social responsibility.
“One of the professors of DLSU-D told us that we must do it because it helps the students to be more socially aware and politically active. When we gave some time ourselves to think about it, we realized that we must not limit the rights of the students to choose and to practice their rights to suffrage. This is the reason why did this poll -- to inform, educate and encourage them to exercise their rights as citizens,” she explained.
Ligan added that they posted the announcement on platforms such as the Schoolbook and Facebook and tied up with the faculty and staff organizations to encourage maximum participation.
Based on the results of the poll, Vice President Leni Robredo was the top choice of DLSU-D community members who answered the survey. She received 2,272 votes. In second place was former Senator Bongbong Marcos who received 204 votes. In third place was Sen. Panfilo Lacson, followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Labor Leader Ka Leody de Guzman, Senator Manny Pacquiao, former DFA Undersecretary Ernie Abella, former Defense chief Norberto Gonzalez and cardiologist Jose Montemayor Jr.
For the vice-presidential poll, Robredo’s running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan also managed to secure 1,997 votes for the top position. He was followed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte with 233 votes. Dr. Willie Ong was in third place, followed by Senate President Tito Sotto, lawyer Walden Bello, Rep. Lito Atienza, and other vice presidential hopefuls Rizalito David and Manny Lopez.
The USG poll was conducted via MS Forms. The USG also clarified that the results of the voting was based on the preference only of the community members who participted in the polls.