Latest Pulse Asia survey shows Duterte's 'strong endorsement appeal' —Palace

The result of the recent Pulse Asia survey showing candidates backed or allied with the administration dominating the list of senatoriables shows President Rodrigo Duterte's "strong endorsement appeal," Malacañang said Tuesday.

"Ang ibig sabihin niyan 'yung mga tao naniniwala kay Presidente," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

"Naniniwala ang mga tao na ang inendorse niya kailangan ni Presidente yun para tumulong sa kanya sa pagbabangon sa ating bansa sa ilalim ng kahirapan, kaguluhan, at kung anu-ano pa."

"It means malakas ang kanyang endorsement appeal," Panelo said.

Panelo said the result also shows that the people expect any opposition candidate who will win in the May elections to help the administration.

"Kahit na may manalo dun sa kabila na hindi inendorse, ang tingin ko dun kapag siya'y pinanalo ng taumbayan, ang mensahe sa 'yo kaya kita pinanalo diyan [ay] para tulungan mo ‘yung pinagkakatiwalaan naming Presidente, hindi para manggulo ka. ‘Yan ang mensahe sa mga mananalong hindi naendorse," he said.

Based on the latest Pulse Asia survey, Senator Bam Aquino was the only candidate from the opposition coalition Otso Diretso who was included in the magic 12.

Reelectionist senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe top the Pulse Asia survey, followed by former Senator Lito Lapid; Taguig City Representative Pia Cayetano; former Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go.

Aside from Aquino, also in the Magic 12 are Senator Juan Edgardo Angara; former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr.; former Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald Dela Rosa; Senator Nancy Binay; Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III; Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, 29.6 percent; former Senator Jinggoy Estrada; Senator JV Ejercito.

The survey was conducted from April 10 to 14. —KBK, GMA News