Incumbent, former senators top Pulse Asia senatorial survey

Old timers in the Senate topped a Pulse Asia survey on senatorial candidates in the 2016 elections.

In the Pulse Asia survey commissioned by ABS-CBN, incumbent Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III topped the survey with 72.6 percent of the respondents saying they will vote for him in the 2016 elections.

Sotto was followed by former senator Panfilo Lacson with 65.3 percent voting preference and statistical ranking of 2nd to 3rd places.

Following Lacson were incumbent Sen. Ralph Recto with 62.9 percent and ranking of 2nd to 6th places, former senator Francis Pangilinan with 58 percent (ranking of 3rd and 6th places), Senate President Franklin Drilon with 57.5 percent ( ranking of 3rd and 7th places), former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also with 57.5 percent (3rd - 7th places) and incumbent Sen. Sergio Osmeña III with 52.1 percent (ranking of 5th and 9th places.)

Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who is running for the first time for the Senate, placed 7th to 10th with 50.2 percent.

Former senator Richard Gordon, currently chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, also ranked 7th and 10th places with 49.7 percent.

The candidates who also made it to the Magic 12 were incumbent Sen. Teofisto Guingona III with 44.8 percent  and ranking of 8th to 10th places, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima with 37.9 percent and ranking of 11th to 12th places and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel with 36.6 percent and a ranking of 11th to 12th places.

The survey, conducted from November 8 to 15, had 1,200 respondents. It had an error margin of +/-3.

The respondents were asked by Pulse Asia to choose from a list of names: Sa mga taong nasa listahang ito, sinu-sino ang inyong iboboto bilang senador ng Pilipinas kung ang eleksyon ng 2016 ay gaganapin ngayon at sila ay mga kandidato? Pwedeng kayong pumili ng hanggang 12 pangalan.

Pulse Asia research director Ana Tabunda confirmed the accuracy of the results posted on ABS-CBN's website.

'Not vulnerable' 

In an interview, Tabunda told GMA News Online that candidates who ranked 7th to 10th place are not "vulnerable" to falling from the Magic 12 in the actual senatorial elections.

"Malamang hindi na unless talagang may grabeng news [na lumabas]... malamang in na siya," Tabunda said when asked if there is still a chance for those ranked 7th to 10 places to be bumped off from the Magic 12.

Those who are ranked 11-12 will have to work harder to remain in the winning circle, Tabunda said.

"You have to work hard to make sure [that you will stay in the Magic 12] kasi there are people  (candidates) behind them who will also be trying their best to get into the top 12," she said.

She added: "Vulnerable talaga ang 11th to 12th. They can still slide out." — ALG/RSJ, GMA News