Metro Manila, PH — The tandem of presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos and vice presidential hopeful Sara Duterte emerged as the top choice in the latest election survey conducted by Pulse Asia.
Results released Wednesday showed 53% of survey respondents expressed support for Marcos, who faces a string of petitions against his 2022 bid.
This is a big lead from Vice President Leni Robredo, who came in second with a rating of 20%.
Placing third in the survey was Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Manny Pacquiao with 8% each. Senator Ping Lacson, meanwhile, completed the top five as the presidential bet of 6% of the respondents.
Based on the breakdown of votes, Marcos got the majority of support in all of the country’s major island groups, but he secured the biggest lead in Mindanao where the Dutertes are a cemented brand.
He was also the preferred presidential candidate among all socio-economic classes, garnering around half of the votes of the total surveyed population in classes ABC, D and E.
But while Robredo was behind in numbers, her score was still a 12-point jump compared to results in September. In a statement, her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez welcomed this development, which he described as a “definitive affirmation of the energy and momentum of the people’s campaign” following Robredo’s declaration of candidacy.
“2022 is now clearly a Robredo versus Marcos contest,” Gutierrez said. “We are confident that in the next four months, VP Leni’s consistent, hands-on leadership and the enthusiastic efforts of our volunteers, will continue to broaden and increase her support.”
Labor leader Leody de Guzman, who is also vying for the presidency, on the other hand said he isn’t daunted by his dismal showing in the list.
“Kapag nakita nila ang kaibhan ng kandidatong manggagawa, umaasa akong makukuha ko ang kanilang tiwala’t suporta [If they see how different a labor candidate is, I am hoping I can get their trust and support],” he said after placing seventh in the survey with 0.004%.
De Guzman added such results highlight the need for electoral reforms geared towards a “level playing field” for national post aspirants competing against the wealthy and the famous, and those receiving huge funding.
Moreno’s political party, Aksyon Demokratiko, meanwhile, thanked the public for their support, adding that it will continue to promote the Manila mayor along with his achievements in the nation’s capital which he can replicate for the entire country if he becomes president.
Aksyon Demokratiko Chairman Ernest Ramel also said in a statement that it is still early to draw conclusions since the campaign period has yet to start.
“Naniniwala kami na ang Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer na si Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso ang siyang mananaig sa huli dahil napatunayan na siya ay may kakayahan, track record, karanasan at tunay na puso para sa masang Pilipino,” Ramel pointed out.
[Translation: We believe that Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso will prevail in the end because it has been proven that he has the skills, track record, experience, and true heart for Filipinos.]
Meanwhile, in the vice presidential survey, a narrower gap was seen in the scores of the two leading contenders. Clinching the first spot was Davao City Mayor Duterte with 45%, followed by Senate President Tito Sotto III with 31%.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan ranked third with 12%, while Dr. Willie Ong and House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza rounded out the top five with 6% and 1%, respectively.
Cayetano, Tulfo still dominate Senate race
When it comes to Senate bets, the latest poll showed former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano ranked first with 64.1%, followed by broadcaster Raffy Tulfo with 60%. In Pule Asia’s September survey, both also took the top two spots, although Tulfo had the higher score.
Also among the most preferred candidates were Antique Representative Loren Legarda (58.7%), Sorsogon Governor Chiz Escudero (53.9%), Public Works Secretary Mark Villar (51.3%), Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (49.4%), and Vice President Jejomar Binay (44.7%).
Completing the top 12 were Senator Joel Villanueva (41.6%), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (40.41%), President Rodrigo Duterte (35.8%) who dropped his senatorial bid earlier this month, actor Robin Padilla (35.6%), and Senator Risa Hontiveros (35.5%).
According to Pulse Asia, the survey was conducted on Dec. 1 to 6 via face-to-face interview with 2,400 Filipino adults.
The nationwide survey has a ± 2% error margin at 95% confidence level.
