Old-timers once again dominate senatorial survey

Familiar names once again dominated the latest preference survey by Pulse Asia for senatorial candidates, with 10 out of the 18 who have "a statistical chance of winning" having been previously elected to the Senate. Reelectionists Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada were again tied for first place, with 52.8 percent of the respondents saying they would vote for Revilla and 50 percent saying they want Estrada elected, according to the survey. The survey, conducted April 23 to 25 using face-to-face interviews with 1,800 respondents, has a ±2 percent margin of error. Trailing Revilla and Estrada were veteran lawmakers Miriam Defensor Santiago (47.9 percent), Juan Ponce Enrile (40.6 percent) who is the incumbent Senate President, and Franklin Drilon (38.4), who is seeking to return to the chamber. The only newcomer who made it to the top 10 was Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., with 27.7 percent.

Other leading old-timers were reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano (38.1 percent) and former Senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (32.3 percent), Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III (32.2 percent) and Ralph Recto (30.1 percent). Two candidates who made the most significant leaps among the 18 top candidates who, Pulse Asia said, have a "statistical chance of winning" or bagging one of the 12 spots for the Senate were Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel (20.2 percent) who gained 8.5 percentage points compared to the March survey and detained ex-Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin (17.5 percent) who made a 7.3-percentage point leap. Others whose scores placed them among the possible winners were Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (23 percent), reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid (21 percent), Jose "Joey" de Venecia III (19.6 percent), Gwendolyn Pimentel (19.2 percent), Gilbert Remulla (18.7 percent), and Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon (17.3 percent). There are 61 senatorial candidates in the coming May 10 elections. But according to Pulse Asia, only 37 percent of Filipinos have a complete senatorial slate while 9.1 percent did not express support for any senatorial candidate. The survey results also said one out of two Filipinos — or 52 percent of the respondents — are aware of the party-list system. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV