GMA tops 2 surveys among HK domestic helpers

For overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong, President Arroyo is still the best choice to lead the country, two recent surveys conducted among OFWs there show.

In a report to Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, labor attaché Jeffrey Cortazar said the surveys conducted by the Pinoy Abroad newspaper and the Philippines Tonight radio program asked respondents who they would vote for if elections were held today. The choices were Mrs. Arroyo, actor Fernando Poe Jr., former education secretary Raul Roco, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and evangelist Eddie Villanueva.

The survey conducted by Pinoy Abroad showed that among 1,619 respondents, 1,036 or 64 percent voted for the President, 195 or 12 percent for Roco, and 154 or nine percent chose Villanueva. Poe ranked fourth with only 106 votes or seven percent and Lacson had 26 votes or two percent to finish last.

The survey, conducted by Philippines Tonight through phone-ins and text messages, also showed Mrs. Arroyo’s commanding lead of 130 out of 240 respondents polled, or 56 percent of the votes.

Cortazar said the radio survey showed the same voting patterns as the newspaper poll, with Roco also second with 45 votes or 20 percent, and Villanueva at third with 30 votes.

Poe was fourth again with 25 votes or 11 percent while Lacson failed to get a single vote among OFW radio listeners in the former Crown colony.

Records showed a total of 364,187 OFWs all over the world have registered as voters in order to exercise their to suffrage for the first time in the coming elections.

The Philippine Consulate General in the special administrative region had registered a total of 88,677 voters, followed by Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with 41,542; Jeddah with 33,217; Singapore with 24,009, and Al Khobr with 22,783.