LIBERAL Party standard bearer Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino III has widened his lead over Nacionalista Party’s Manuel Villar in the latest survey of Pulse Asia.
In a survey conducted Feb. 21 to 25, Aquino was preferred by 36 percent on the question “Who would you vote if the 2010 elections were held today?” Villar scored 29 percent. (Read full text of Pulse Asia’s media release)
The seven percentage point difference strengthened Aquino’s lead unlike in the Jan. 10 survey when they were statistically tied with Aquino’s 37 percent and Villar’s 35 percent.
Both Aquino and Villar suffered a decline. Aquino’s was a measly 1 percent while Villar’s score decreased by a significant 6 percent.
Gainers were former Joseph Estrada of Partido ng Masang Pilipino who scored 18 percent after getting an increase of 6 points and Lakas-Kampi’s Gilbert Teodoro with 7 percent after he gained 2 points.
Scores of other presidential candidates: Villanueva, two percent; Richard Gordon, 1 percent; Jamby Madrigal, 0.03 percent; Nicanor Perlas, 0.02 percent; Vetallano Acosta who has been declared a “nuisance” candidate, 0.04 percent; and JC de los Reyes, got zero losing the 0.03 percent in last month’s poll.
LP’s Mar Roxas maintained his substantial lead with 43 percent over NP’s Loren Legarda, who got 29 percent. Third is Jejomar “Jojo” Binay with 15 percent; Bayani Fernado with 4 percent, and Edu Manzano with 2 percent; Perfecto Yasay and Jay Sonza, both with 1 percent, and Dominador “Jun”Chipeco, Jr. with 0.01 percent.
The LP’s campaign painting Villar as corrupt with Noynoy proclaiming “Hindi ako magnanakaw” seems to be finally felt now. Asked to explain their preference in the presidential race, 26 percent said “ because he/she is not corrupt” and 22 percent said “he/she cares for the poor.
Other reasons cited for preferring a candidate are that he/she can do/ is doing /will do something (14 percent); helps/is helping others (11 percent); is a good person (10 percent) and is used to governing/has experience (7 percent).
The survey was conducted nationwide among 1,800 adults