Loren, Chiz lead Pulse Asia survey on Senate bets

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Loren Legarda is likely to get the biggest number of votes in the senatorial elections in 2013, based on the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey.

Legarda was the first choice of 67.3 percent of the 1,200 individuals surveyed by Pulse Asia from Aug. 31 to Sept.7.

Sen. Francis Escudero emerged as the second most favored senatorial candidate with 61.2 percent of the votes.

“I thank God and the Filipino people. The result of the recent Pulse Asia survey inspires me to work harder and do more, especially for the poor and needy because people appreciate the work that I am doing,” Legarda said.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito shared the third slot with 49.9 percent of the votes, followed by Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr., son and namesake of the Senate president, with 47.4 percent.

“With barely eight months left before elections, for sure there will come more movements in ranking. I am confident that UNA (United Nationalist Alliance)’s candidates will remain to be the ones to beat,” Ejercito said. 

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV came in next with 41.2 percent, followed by Sen. Gregorio Honasan (40.6 percent) and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III (39.2 percent).

Former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara got 37.4 percent and 35.9 percent, respectively.

Former Las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia Villar was ranked 9th to 11th with 32.7 percent.

With 27.4 percent of the votes, Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay settled at 12th to 15th places. Binay is a daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Former senators Richard Gordon (26.2 percent) and Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (25.2 percent) emerged at 12th to 16th places, while former senator Ana Consuelo Madrigal (23.2 percent) was at 12th to 17th places.

Less than one in 10 Filipinos (six percent) is not inclined to elect any of the probable candidates, Pulse Asia said.

Meanwhile, the survey found that four of 10 Filipinos (40 percent) already have a complete slate for the May 2013 senatorial elections.

More than half of Kapangpangans (52 percent), 53 to 56 percent of those in Mindanao, 53 percent of vocational school graduates, 53 percent of Muslims, 66 percent of INC members, and 76 percent of Pangasinenses have already chosen their top 12 candidates.

Only 20 percent of Ilonggos and 28 percent of those in other places in the Visayas have a complete senatorial slate for May 2013. 

The nationwide survey has sampling error margin of plus or minus three percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. The midterm election is in May next year. – Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero