Duterte downplays lead in latest Pulse Asia survey, ‘I could be No. 5 next week’

DAGUPAN CITY— Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte couldn’t care less about his survey ratings even if he has emerged as the candidate to beat in the presidential race.

Speaking to the media ahead of the third and final PiliPinas presidential debate, the mayor said he doesn’t fuss over his survey ratings because it is a “volatile thing.”

“I am not after ratings. It can go down anytime,” he said when asked if he is more confident to face his rivals during the debate because he is now the frontrunner in pre-election surveys.

He recalled that in a survey conducted a few months ago, he was ranked number one in Metro Manila, but immediately slid to number four.

“Maybe number five ako next week,” Duterte said in jest.

“It’s a very volatile thing, itong rating,” he added.

The latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by ABS-CBN showed Duterte widening his lead over his rivals in the presidential race.

His voter preference rating rose from 32 percent in the previous poll conducted from April 5 to 10, to 34 percent for the week of April 12 to 17.

Duterte was followed by Sen. Grace Poe with a rating of 22 percent, 3 percentage points down from the 25 percent she posted in the previous survey. —NB, GMA News