By Jelly Musico | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte continued to be the top contenders for the May 9 elections, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Jan. 19 to 24 this year.
Marcos widened his lead to 60% from 53% in the Pulse Asia survey for president held in December last year.
He garnered the lead in all geographic areas and socio-economic groups with 53% to 66% and 50% to 61%, respectively.
Vice President Leni Robredo is in far second with 16% or 4% lower than the previous survey.
Former world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso are tied in third place with 8% while Senator Panfilo Lacson is in the fourth spot with 4%.
‘Near to huge majority’
In the vice presidential race, Pulse Asia said Duterte obtained “near to huge majority” voter preferences after her score increased from 46% in December 2021 to 50% in January 2022.
Duterte garnered the majority of support across geographic areas and socio-economic classes with 47% in the Visayas, 84% in Mindanao, and 49% to 55% in every socio-economic group.
Senate President Tito Sotto is in the second spot with 29% as he topped Metro Manila with 40% and Balance Luzon group with 37%.
Robredo’s running mate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, is in third place with 11% followed by Dr. Willie Ong with 5%, and Lito Atienza with 1%.
In the senatorial race, the top 12 in the Pulse Asia survey include Raffy Tulfo with 66.1% followed by Alan Peter Cayetano (58.2%), Loren Legarda (58%), Chiz Escudero (55.7%), Mark Villar (52.9%), Juan Miguez Zubiri (50.3%), Win Gatchalian (45.9%), Jojo Binay (44.5%), Jinggoy Estrada (40.4%), Joel Villanueva (40.4%), Risa Hontiveros (37.1%), and Robin Padilla (35.9%).
The next group of six senatorial aspirants are JV Estrada Ejercito (33.9%), Dick Gordon (28.4%), Herbert Bautista (26.8%), Gringo Honasan (24.8%), and Harry Roque (18.5%).
This nationwide survey is based on a sample of 2,400 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2 percent error margin at the 95% confidence level. (PNA) – bny