Aquino most trusted presidential candidate, survey shows

Manila: Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino and Manuel "Mar" Roxas II of the Liberal party remained the most trusted and favoured presidential and vice-presidential bets, respectively, in the May 10 polls, the Liberal Party said, adding the findings came from the latest survey by Pulse Asia, a private pollster.

In a survey of 1,800 respondents from February 21 to 25, Aquino enjoyed a wide lead with 64 per cent in trust ratings. Some 14 per cent said they had small or no trust for him.

Former Senate President Manuel Villar, the Nationalista Party's standard bearer, received a 59 per cent trust rating, Pulse Asia said.

Villar has been criticised for spending more than 1 billion pesos (Dh82 million) on TV and radio advertising since last year.

Other candidates such as President Joseph Estrada, received a 40 per cent trust rating; ruling Lakas Party standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr, 29 per cent; and Senator Richard Gordon, a 25 per cent rating.

In the vice-presidential race, Roxas, the teammate of Aquino, received a 70 per cent trust rating, with 10 per cent saying they had small or no trust for him.

Senator Loren Legarda, Villar's vice-presidential candidate, received a 58 per cent trust rating.

Other vice-presidential candidates such as Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, Estrada's teammate, received a 45 per cent trust rating; Former Metro Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando (Gordon's partner), 22 per cent; and actor Edu Manzano (Teodoro's partner), 19 per cent.

At the same time, Aquino led with a high 36 per cent of voters' preference. In comparison, Aquino's closest rival, Villar, got 29 per cent; Estrada, 18 per cent; and the other candidates registered seven per cent or less.

The respondents were asked who would they vote as president and vice-president if elections were held today.

With less than three months before the May 10, six per cent of Filipino voters have yet to decide on their presidential preference.

Campaigning on a platform of good governance and transformational leadership, both Aquino and Roxas vowed to end corruption in government. They also promised to open their bank accounts to public scrutiny.