OCTA: Support for Versoza, Lacuna not even half of Isko Moreno’s numbers

Isko Moreno

Not even the combined support for the opponents of former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso can match his commanding lead in the most recent OCTA Research poll for the 2025 local elections in Manila.

Based on the survey conducted from March 2-6, second-placer Sam Versoza’s 16% and third-placer Mayor Honey Lacuna’s 15%, when combined, would not even make up at least half of Moreno’s 67% voter percentage.

“Pag pinagsama mo ‘yung dalawang numero ni Mr. Versoza at ni Mayor Lacuna, ay hindi pa aabot doon sa numbers ng top survey contender na si Mayor Isko Moreno,” said Prof. Ranjit Rye of OCTA Research.

(If you combine the numbers of Mr. Versoza and Mayor Lacuna, it still wouldn’t reach the numbers of the top survey contender, Mayor Isko Moreno.)

Despite Lacuna’s advantage of incumbency, the current Manila mayor still faces an uphill battle after landing third place in the OCTA Research poll, far behind her predecessor, Domagoso.

“Siya ‘yung incumbent. Ang inaasahan ng lahat ay siya ang mangunguna. Alam naman natin na naglabasan ang maraming resources ng City Hall, pati na rin ‘yung access sa AICS, TUPAD at iba pa. Na-distribute na rin, so we were expecting na she would be in a much higher percentage sa nakikita natin ngayon,” Rye said.

(She is the incumbent, so everyone expected her to lead. We all know that City Hall’s resources have been mobilized, including access to AICS, TUPAD, and others. These have already been distributed, so we were expecting her to have a much higher percentage than what we’re seeing now.)

“Uphill talaga, kailangan magsipag pa ‘yung dalawang kasama niya sa survey para makahabol, lalo na ang ating incumbent mayor. Kailangan ng todo-sipag pa. May 45 days pa,” he added.

(It’s definitely an uphill battle. The two others in the survey need to work even harder to catch up, especially our incumbent mayor. They need to give it their all—there are still 45 days to go.)

According to Octa, Roberto Oca of the Association Workers Union commissioned the survey on voting preferences for the 2025 Manila elections, which was conducted from March 2 to 6.

Known for his hands-on leadership style and rapid infrastructure and social welfare programs during his term, Moreno has been campaigning to restore cleanliness, discipline, and order to the nation’s capital.

At his proclamation rally, he shrugged off his opponents’ attacks, saying he is confident that Manila’s voters will judge his legacy fairly, especially those who have witnessed his pandemic-era governance.

Moreno also vowed to revitalize public healthcare services, housing projects, and social welfare programs, which many Manileños said have been neglected.