HAD the elections been held last week, 10 of the 18 senatorial aspirants that have a “statistical chance of winning” would either be reelectionists or former senators, the latest Pulse Asia survey said.
Incumbent senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada continued to enjoy the lead in the senatorial race. About 52.8 percent of the respondents favored Revilla’s reelection, while Estrada had 50 percent.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago came next (47.9 percent), followed by incumbent Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (40.6 percent), former Sen. Franklin Drilon (38.4 percent) and Sen. Pia Cayetano (38.1 percent).
Several other old faces topped the survey, including former lawmakers Vicente C. Sotto III (32.3 percent), Sergio R. Osmeña (32.2 percent) and Ralph Recto (30.1 percent).
Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., a first-time senatorial candidate, came in next with 27.7 percent.
Rounding up the top 18 are Teofisto D. Guingona III (23 percent), Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid (21.0 percent), Akbayan Party-List Rep. Ana Theresia H. Hontiveros-Baraquel (20.2 percent), Jose P. de Venecia III (19.6 percent), lawyer Gwendolyn D. Pimentel (19.2 percent), former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla (18.7 percent), Col. Ariel O. Querubin (17.5 percent), and Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon (17.3 percent).
However, less than half, or only 37 percent, of the registered voters already have a complete senatorial slate during the survey period. A total of 9.1 percent of the voters, meanwhile, do not “express support for any of those running for senator,” the survey added.
The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from April 23 to 25, has a ± 2 margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level.
In the same survey, 78 percent of the voters will choose a party-list group in the May polls.
“Among the probable winners in the party-list elections, only two groups would get the maximum number of three congressional seats–Gabriela (7.32 percent) and Akbayan (5.36 percent),” the survey added.– Joseph Holandes Ubalde
