By Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA
MANILA — Three reelectionist senators on Wednesday welcomed the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey for the May election, saying their standings in the polls served as an inspiration for them to do better.
Senator Grace Poe, who once again topped the most recent senatorial survey conducted on December 14 to 21, 2018 with a 75.6 percent rating, said she was “humbled” by the unwavering support of Filipinos.
“This will serve both as an inspiration and challenge to continue working hard,” she said in a text message to reporters.
The senator, who also topped the senatorial survey taken in the first week of September last year, said she was grateful to the people for giving her the chance to help make lives a little better.
“Ang hangad ko lang ay makatulong mapabuti ang buhay ng lahat lalo na ang mga naghihirap. Ito po ay bunga ng dasal, pagsisikap at alala ala ng aking ama na si FPJ [Fernado Poe Jr.] (My only goal is to help improve the lives of everyone, especially the poor. This is the fruit of prayer, hard work and the legacy of my father),” Poe said.
Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara, who placed third in the survey with a 58.5 percent rating, said he was “grateful and very thankful” for the latest results.
Fellow reelectionist Senator Villar was at second with 66.6 percent.
“With the New Year and these results comes a new resolve to do better and work harder for our people’s benefit,” Angara said.
Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who is at sixth place with a 45.5 rating, said he was glad to be in the top rankings despite having no television advertisement at the moment.
The president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party is only one of two administration candidates who made it to the “winners’ circle” so far.
Former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was ranked 12th with 35.7 percent.
“I will just continue to explain to the people what my plans are as well as the PDP-Laban’s. I am sure they will see that I am using my KOKOte for the good of our country,” Pimentel said, using a clever word play combining his nickname and the Filipino word “kukote” which means brains.
Other candidates who made it to the top 12 are Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano with 55.4 percent, former Senator Lito Lapid with 49.8 percent, Senator Nancy Binay with 46.7 percent, former Senator Serge Osmeña with 38.8 percent, former Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. with 37.6 percent, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos with 36.7 percent and former Senator Jinggoy Estrada with 36.3 percent.
