Bongbong still on top, Leni improves in latest Pulse Asia survey

Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. remained on top in the latest Pulse Asia survey on presidential candidates despite having a lower rating.

Released on Wednesday, the March survey results show Marcos scoring 56%, down from 60% in February.

"Most likely voters (56%) would elect former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as the country’s next president if the May 2022 elections took place during the survey period," Pulse Asia said, noting that Marcos' presidential bid was supported by "near to sizeable majorities" across geographic areas (48% to 64%) and socio-economic classes (52% to 56%).

In contrast, Vice President Leni Robredo saw her rating go up to 24% from the previous 15%, further distancing herself from third placer Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, whose rating went down two notches from 10% to 8%.

Senator Manny Pacquiao's rating, meanwhile, settled at 6%, down from the previous 8%, while Senator Panfilo Lacson's score remained unchanged at 2%.

According to Pulse Asia, the 2,400 respondents were asked: "Of the people on this list, whom would you vote for as PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES if the May 2022 elections were held today and they were candidates?"

Conducted from March 17 to 21, 2022, the survey was the second one done by Pulse Asia during the official campaign period for the May 9 elections. The previous survey was conducted from February 18 to 23, 2022.

The campaign period started on February 8.

Among the key national and international developments that took place in the weeks immediately before and during the conduct of the survey are the following:

• The continuous decline in the number of reported COVID-19 cases and the placing of Metro Manila and other areas under Alert Level 1;
• The first presidential debate, held on 27 February 2022 and hosted by CNN Philippines;
• The temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the Comelec for it to desist from further removing campaign materials displayed on private properties while the high court is still hearing the petition filed by Robredo supporters against the poll body's "Oplan Baklas";
• The increase in the prices per liter of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene;
• The 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution

Pulse Asia said the latest survey had a ± 2% error margin. 

It also released the results of the survey on vice presidentiables with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte still leading the pack, and on senatorial candidates, still topped by broadcaster Raffy Tulfo. 

Robredo camp cites momentum, other bets unperturbed

Reacting to the survey, Robredo's spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez, said that the vice president now has "momentum" that is likely to "intensify and accelerate all the way" until election day.

"What we are seeing now is the turning of the tide," Gutierrez said in a statement, pointing out that the survey numbers "are starting to reflect what we have been seeing on the ground all along."

For Lacson, however, the survey does not reflect what he and his running-mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, are seeing in their own campaign.

"Iba ang napi-feel namin sa ground actually kesa sa lumalabas sa survey. We just cannot explain kung bakit ganon," Lacson told reporters in an interview in Argao, Cebu.

He cited his recent visit at the provincial capitol of Bohol where he and Sotto were warmly welcomed.

Lacson added that he was not disturbed by the surveys and that they would continue direct engagement with the people.

Pacquiao said he would rather focus his campaign on reaching out to the D and E socio-economic classes.

"Hindi ako nakatingin sa survey ngayon kasi ang focus ko 'yung mga tao, na maabot ko 'yung mahihirap, 'yung D, E class," he said.

(I am not looking at the surveys at the moment because I am focused on reaching the poor, the D and E classes.)

The lawmaker recalled that weeks before the 2010 vice presidential election, then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay trailed by a huge margin from survey leader Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

Pacquiao said Binay ended up winning the election against Roxas because the former was able to reach out to underprivileged Filipinos.

“Ang laban ni Manny Pacquiao ay hindi laban para sa sarili ko kundi laban ng sambayanang Pilipino - iyong nahihirapan sa buhay at walang opportunity na umasenso. Ang Manny Pacquiao na nanggaling sa mahirap, ito ay nakikipaglaban upang magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan ang mga naghihirap na pamilya,” he said.

(Manny Pacquiao's fight is not a fight for myself but a fight for the Filipino people, those who struggle in life and have no opportunity to achieve progress. Manny Pacquiao, who comes from a poor family, is fighting for a better future for poor families.)

Pacquiao also rejected suggestions of unity talks with other candidates aimed at defeating Marcos. 

He reiterated that he had nothing personal against Marcos, even as he expressed his concern for the country's future.

"Ang sa akin hindi naman personalan ito. Wala akong pakialam kung mataas man siya sa survey. Ang akin lang is yung reality, 'yung mangyayari sa susunod na anim na taon o future ng ating bansa, yun ang concern ko... 'Pag nabola ang sambayanang Pilipino, maniwala kayo sa akin, ang pagsisisi laging nasa huli," Pacquiao said.

(It is nothing personal. I do not care if Marcos ranks high in the survey. What I'm concerned about is the reality of what will happen in the next six years or the future of our country. If the Filipino people are deceived, believe me, regret is always there in the end.)

In a message to reporters, Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel said it was unfair to characterize the latest survey as a two-way fight.

“On the contrary, it will be a three-way race as evidenced by Mayor Isko being the top 2nd choice,” Ramel said, adding they will "discuss" on Friday a more recent survey showing a "three-corner contest" with Moreno.

“By Friday, we will discuss before the media a more recent survey done a few days ago that shows it will be a three-corner contest. With Mayor Isko having the best possibility to increase his numbers as the election draws near,” he said.

De Guzman, who rated 0.02% in the survey, said his party, Partido Lakas ng Masa, will ramp up its efforts to reach out to more workers and the people who are fed up with poor living conditions.

“Wala kaming balak umatras at hindi rin namin rerendahan ang mga lider-manggagawa at aming volunteers sa kanilang taos-pusong pag-iikot para ipaliwanag ang kahalagahan at kawastuhan ng paglahok ng kandidatong manggagawa sa panahon ng kaliwa’t kanang krisis na pinapasan ng masang Pilipino,” he said.

(We have no plans to withdraw from the race and we will not prevent our labor leaders and volunteers in their sincere efforts to go around and explain to the people the importance of having a candidate from the labor sector amid the several crises Filipinos face.)

Marcos' spokesman, Vic Rodriguez, urged their supporters, volunteers and campaigners "to refrain from complacency and remain focused on achieving our common target of 70% presidential preference mark."

"We acknowledge the overwhelming support of the people as the Pulse Asia survey results clearly show, but the challenge to make history shall remain kindled until election day, and even beyond," Rodriguez said.

"We shall not rest until the 70% preference survey polls position is attained, until every vote is counted and the aspirations of the Filipino people become a reality," he added. —with Hana Bordey, Joahna Lei Casilao, Anna Felicia Bajo, Jamil Santos, and Giselle Ombay/KBK/VBL, GMA News