Poe: Survey proves Pinoys not swayed by rivals’ maneuvering

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe said a recent survey showing her as the voters’ top choice for president in the 2016 elections proved that Filipinos are not swayed by legal and political maneuverings of her opponents.

“It gives me strength to know that our countrymen continue to stand with me in our pursuit of a better, livable and equitable society that benefits all Filipinos and not just a favored few,” Poe said.

“I remain committed to serving them as well,” said Poe, who is still included in the roster of the country’s 2016 presidential candidates while the legal tussle on her citizenship and residency continues.

The latest nationwide survey commissioned by a newspaper showed Poe as the top choice for president, with 28 percent of respondents saying they would vote for her. In her usual strongholds — Metro Manila, Bicol and the rest of Luzon — Poe won an even bigger chunk of the voting population, with 35 percent.

The survey, conducted Dec. 4-12, had 1,500 respondents equally distributed in Metro Manila, Northern and Central Luzon, Bicol and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. It had a margin of error of 2.6 percent.  

Respondents belonging to the lowest economic classes are also for Poe, with 28 percent of those in class D and 31 percent of those in class E saying they would vote for her.

Poe was also the top choice of Muslim voters, with 33 percent opting for her from the list of six candidates presented to them. Duterte, who hails from Mindanao, followed with 30 percent.  

“These are the people who have been left behind for so long and who wish to benefit from the economic growth being touted by our government. They are the reason I am committed to fight for my right — and the right of all foundlings — to serve,” Poe said.  

The survey also confirmed Poe’s popularity among the youth, with 36 percent of voters aged 18 to 34 choosing her as president.

Poe, who is pushing for the expansion of economic opportunities outside mega-cities, received the same strong support from voters in urban and rural areas across the country, with 29 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

“It humbles and inspires me to see that despite the difficulties, people still have faith that we will achieve our shared vision for this country,” she said.

Poe’s spokesman Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said their camp is thankful over the latest surveys. 

“Like all other surveys, the results of this survey will continue to serve as guide and inspiration for Sen. Poe. She will continue to amplify her message of good governance, inclusive growth and improving competitiveness of our country,” Gatchalian said.

Nationwide, Poe was followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay (23 percent) and Manuel Roxas II (22 percent) who were statistically tied. Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ranked fourth with 19 percent, while Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago trailed everyone with three percent.

Poe has been a consistent frontrunner in most voter preference surveys even before she declared her presidential bid in September.

Following her proclamation, however, Poe began to face a string of cases seeking to cancel her certificate of candidacy for president by questioning her citizenship and residency.