Manila: Senator Grace Poe said she was overwhelmed that she led five other top presidential candidates in a popularity survey despite unresolved disqualification case filed against her about her citizenship and residency.
“The latest Pulse Asia survey is both overwhelming and humbling. It echoes the voice of the people who trust and believe in my capacity to be a leader no matter what hurdles are thrown my way,” said Poe in a statement.
Poe received 30 per cent approval for a presidential candidate by 1,800 respondents from January 24 to 28, said Pulse Asia, adding her rivals, vice president Jejmar Binay of the opposition, received approval rating of 23 per cent; Mar Roxas of the ruling Liberal party, 20 per cent; and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Fight for Democratic Philippines, 20 per cent.
Binay was a top favourite in surveys done by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations, another private pollster, in December.
“He is now statistically tied with Roxas and Duterte,” said Pulse Asia.
Presidential candidates
Senator Miriam Santiago of the Nationalista Party received four per cent approval rating; Mel Mendoza, 1 per cent; Roy Seneres, 0 per cent; and Dante Valensia, 0 per cent, said Pulse Asia, adding that Mendoza and Seneres backed out of the race and Valencia was disqualified by the Commission on Elections as a nuisance candidate.
Poe has appealed to the Supreme Court her disqualification case from Comelec. The case is still pending at the Apex Court.
“We believethere are still voters out there who are uncertain about the status of her candidacy, hence it becomes more imperative for us to clarify (before the High Court) that matter and as a result gain more ground,” said Poe’s spokesman Rex Gatchalian.
The survey was taken before Comelec has resolved last Wednesday four disqualification cases against Duterte. Allies said he would soon top popularity surveys after his declaration by the Comelec as an official candidate.
Vice-Presidential candidates
The same survey showed that Poe’s vice presidential candidate Senator Chiz Escudero matched her rating, with 33 per cent approval from respondents, said Pulse Asia.
Santiago’s vice presidential pair, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, received 23 per cent approval rating; Roxa’s vice presidential candidate, Congresswoman Leni Robredo, 18 per cent; Binay’s running mate, Senator Gregorio Honansan, 14 per cent; and Duterte’s tandem, Senator Alan Cayetano, 5 per cent, said Pulse Asia.
Incumbent senators and congressmen were favourite senatorial candidates, Pulse Asia added.
