Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, always the tail-ender in national surveys, won a surprising but decisive victory in a survey conducted at Holy Angel University (HAU), considered the biggest private school in Central Luzon.

Of 3688 college students and employees surveyed, 1432 said they would vote for Teodoro, although only 205 would vote for his running mate, actor Edu Manzano. Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party topped the survey for vice president with 2349 votes.

Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar are in statistical dead-heat for second place, with 958 and 954 votes, respectively.

The mock election is significant because HAU is the biggest private school in Central Luzon with over 16,000 students and 900 employees, who come from all parts of Pampanga including the neighboring provinces.

They also represent a cross-section of Kapampangan society, coming from all walks of life.

According to Robby Tantingco, the University’s AVP for Student Services and Affairs, HAU will conduct a second mock election later in the campaign period, or after all the presidential and vice-presidential candidates shall have visited the University and spoken directly to the students.

“One possible explanation for Teodoro’s good showing here is that the mock polls were held a few days after he and Edu visited the University on January 5,” Tantingco said. “The students liked what they saw and heard. Which is why all the candidates should make it a point to visit schools and communicate their platform, because it’s quite effective.”

“But the bottom line is still the candidate himself,” Tantingco added. “Edu also spoke before the same student body and yet he did not get as many votes as Teodoro did.”

Teodoro won in University’s Colleges of Arts, Sciences and Education, Business and Accountancy, Engineering and Architecture, Information and Communications Technology and Nursing, as well as among employees, while Villar won in the College of Hospitality Management.

Former President Joseph Estrada brought up the rear in the presidential survey, garnering only single digits in all Colleges and no votes at all among employees, for a total tally of 39 votes.

In the gubernatorial race, incumbent Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio garnered 1083 votes, against challenger Lilia Pineda’s 419.

Similarly, incumbent Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno won with 1585 votes, against challengers Ed Pamintuan with 556 votes and Tony Mamac with 215 votes.

When the same students residing in Angeles City were asked whom they would vote for in the congressional race, 1347 answered Carmelo Lazatin while 857 said Ares Yabut.

Tantingco said that the survey results show that the youth vote is increasingly becoming intelligent and discerning.

In the same survey, the respondents said competence was more important than popularity (3256 votes versus 225). Some 3136 respondents said they would vote for a candidate who is competent although he is sure to lose, while only 261 said they would vote for a candidate who is incompetent although he is sure to win.

A total of 2757 said they would vote for a candidate who has a good family background, while only 172 said they would vote for a candidate with good TV ads. Some 455 respondents said they would not vote for a candidate associated with President Arroyo.

Corruption topped the list of issues that the next President should give immediate attention to (1206 votes), followed by education (734), poverty (733) and unemployment (454).

The survey was conducted by the University’s Office of Student Affairs and Guidance Services Office.