By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) has edged out Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party in the No. 2 position in the May 10 presidential race in a survey conducted by the Magdalo, a group of reformist junior military officers.
The survey conducted from April 19 to 24 among 3,000 respondents nationwide showed Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino of the Liberal Party leading the race with 39.6 percen,t followed by Estrada with 24.8 percent and Villar with 23.6 percent.
This is the first survey that showed Estrada having overtaken Villar. Pulse Asia’s survey conducted April 23 to 25 among 1,800 respondents nationwide showed Villar and Estrada tied in second place with 20 percent each.
The rest of the presidential candidates got single-digit scores. Gilbert Teodoro Jr. of Lakas-Kampi-CMD got 7 percent; Bangon Pilipinas’ Eduardo “Bro Eddie” Villanueva, 2.6 percent; Richard Gordon, 0.8 percent; Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, 0.2 percent; Ang Kapatiran’s John Carlos “JC” de los Reyes, 0.3 percent; and Nicanor “Nick” Perlas, 0.2 percent.
Data for the vice presidential contest will be released later.
For the senatorial race, the top three in the Magic 12 are reelectionists Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (56.1 percent), Miriam Defensor-Santiago (55.4 percent) and Jinggoy Estrada (53.9 percent).
No. 4 is former Senate President Franklin Drilon (43.9 percent), followed by incumbent Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile (41.3 percent) and former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III (37.4 percent).
Another reelectionist, Pia Cayetano, is on 7th place with 36.3 percent, followed by Ilocos Sur Gov. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
The two detained military officers made it to the top 12: Brig. Gen. Danny Lim (32.9 percent) and Col. Ariel Querubin (30.3 percent).
Arroyo’s former economic planning secretary, Ralph Recto, is No. 12 with 26.9 percent.
Within striking distance to the Magic 12 are reelectionist Manuel “Lito” Lapid (25.6 percent), Jose “Joey” de Venecia (25 percent), Satur Ocampo (21.4 percent), Teofisto “TG” Guingona III (21.4 percent), Gilbert Remulla (19 percent), Liza Maza (17.6 percent), Sonia Roco (17.4 percent) and Risa Hontiveros –Baraquel (17.4 percent).
The survey, which has a margin of error of plus and minus two, asked respondents:”If elections were held today, who of the candidates (names provided) would you choose?”
Issues in the media during the survey period were the alleged pressure of Villar on the Philippine Securities and Exchange in connection with the stock offering of his real estate company, Vista Land; the clearing by Justice Secretary Alberto Agra of former ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan and his uncle Akmad of murder charges in connection with the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre.
The Magdalo, headed by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, has endorsed Villar for president and LP’s Roxas for vice president for the May 10 elections.
Magdalo pre-election survey on presidential bets
Magdalo pre-election survey on senatorial bets