ONLY one new name has made it to the “Magic 12” list of possible senatorial winners, with reelectionists again dominating the race, results of the latest BusinessWorld-Social Weather Stations Pre-Election survey showed.
Staying in first place in the March 19-22 poll was reelectionist Sen. Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD with a score of 53%, down a point from a month earlier.
Rising to second, from third previously, was another reelectionist: the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s (PMP) Sen. Joseph “Jinggoy” E. Estrada with 52%, up five points.
Both were described by the SWS as “far ahead of the pack.”
Also up a place was Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the People’s Reform Party (44% from 46%), while former second-placer Sen. Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party (NP) slipped to fourth with 42% from 51%.
A former senator, Franklin M. Drilon (Liberal Party or LP), cemented his hold on fifth with 36% (from 45%), followed by still another re-electionist: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile of the PMP who was up a place to sixth with 35% (from 40%).
Mr. Enrile swapped places with another former senator, Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III of the Nationalist People’s Coalition who scored 33% from 39%.
In joint 8th to 9th place, with scores of 30% each from previous ratings of 41% and 32%, respectively, were another former senator, Ralph G. Recto, and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.
Reelectionist Sen. Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid of the ruling party was tenth with 26% (from 31%), followed by former senator Sergio “Serge” D. Osmeña III, an independent, with 25% (31% previously).
Rounding out the list was the NP spokesman, former Cavite Rep. Cavite Rep. Gilbert Cesar C. Remulla, with 24%.
Mr. Remulla, who was 18th a month ago with just 14%, displaced PDP-Laban senatorial candidate Gwendolyn C. Pimentel-Gana, daughter of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr.
Ms. Santiago to Mr. Marcos were described as “clearly above 13th place” by the SWS, which added that the top “nine candidates, and Sergio Osmeña III, have always been in the winning circle since the SWS survey of December 5-10, 2009.”
Just out of bounds of the Magic 12 were Ms. Pimentel (13th with 23%, down from 27%) and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” L. Guingona III (LP) with 21%, down from 25%.
They were followed by businessman Jose P. de Venecia III, son of former House Speaker Jose C. De Venecia, Jr. (PMP, 19% from 23%) and Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon (LP, 18% from 23%).
The top three were not immediately available for comment.
Ms. Cayetano, meanwhile, said: “I wouldn’t know the basis for the decrease, but I’m concerned with my trust rate going down from 51% to 42%. There could have been a different sampling group, but anyway I’m still consistent in the top five and I would continue to give people my accomplishment reports.”
On the issue of his ratings going down to 36%, Mr. Drilon said: “That’s a concern. Well, at least I maintained my position (5th), that means I have to keep on working. I am still the only non-reelectionist in the top five.”
Mr. Drilon added: “I think the situation has stabilized, and that support for the top six is firming up. My conclusion is that everyone in the top six are relatively safe as far as the race is concerned. Nevertheless we will continue to work and will not relax.”
Mr. Remulla said: “I am very thankful that I had reached the magic 12. There is still a lot to do to secure a winning seat in the Senate and I will continue to work harder to solidify my place in the winning circle.”