MANILA – Sen. Grace Poe once again emerged as a top contender for the 2019 Senate race based on the latest Pulse Asia survey.
Poe received a preferential rating of 67.4 percent in the nationwide survey conducted between June 15 and 21. She also topped the March 23 to 28 survey.
Also on the contenders’ list based on the June survey were Rep. Pia Cayetano (55.7 percent), Sen. Cynthia Villar (50.1 percent), Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (46.2 percent), Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara (41.9 percent), and former senator Jinggoy Estrada (37.9 percent).
Rounding out the “Magic 12” were Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa (37.7 percent), senators Aquilino Pimentel III (37.7 percent) and Nancy Binay (37.1 percent), former senators Sergio Osmeña (36.6 percent) and Lito Lapid (36.2 percent), and senators Joseph Victor Ejercito (35.6 percent) and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV (32.1 percent).
Rep. Imee Marcos, Mayor Herbert Bautista, actor Robin Padilla, radio broadcaster Mon Tulfo, and former Interior secretary Mar Roxas also have better odds of getting elected to the Senate, Pulse Asia said.
Former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., TV anchor Ted Failon, former senator Teofisto Guingona III, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Mayor Rex Gatchalian, and Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to make it to the Magic 12.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go and Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who both plan to run for senator in 2019, placed within ranks 23-31 and 25-33, respectively, in the survey.
Angara and Aquino were grateful for getting included in the Pulse Asia survey’s “wining circle.”
“We are thankful to the people and will continue to work hard on giving them hope and opportunity,” Angara said.
Aquino also stressed the need for a strong opposition to ensure the protection of the rights of the poor.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa patuloy na suporta ng mga Pilipino. Pero kailangan pa nating patibayin ang boses ng oposisyon sa Senado,” he said.
“Mahalaga na mayroong handang tumutol at handang lumaban sa administrasyon tuwing may programa na sasagasa sa mahihirap na Pilipino,” he added./PN
