Independent Senator Grace Poe, who has consistently topped almost all pre-election surveys, was dislodged by Senator Cynthia A. Villar of the Nacionalista Party from the No. 1 spot in the latest Pulse Asia survey.
READ: Grace takes early lead in RMN poll; Imee, 7th
The survey on the senatorial preferences conducted from April 10 to 14, also showed that five of the seven reelectionists made it to the “Magic 12.” Aside from Villar and Poe, they are Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, and Aquilino Pimentel III.
Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV was No. 13 while Senator JV Ejercito was No. 14, although the latter considered his ranking a “big jump” from his previous rankings.
Ejercito said his work on the universal health care law was already paying off.
“[The] electorate slowly appreciating those candidates with good performance and clean track record,” he said.
Four returning senators—Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada also entered the “Winning Circle” while three other returning senators–Serge Osmena, Manuel Roxas II and Juan Ponce Enrile—did not.
Two political newbies—former presidential aide Christopher Go and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, along with Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos completed the Top 12.
Poe, who clinched the No. 1 spot in the last senatorial race, said she remains thankful for the trust afforded to her by the people.
Pimentel said he is happy that those surveyed are aware of his qualifications for the position, remember the things he had accomplished, and had become aware of the plans he has for the country.
Aquino said if he wins a second term, he vowed to work for the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill, which seeks to establish Trabaho Centers or job placement offices in public high schools and state universities and colleges to help solve the prevalent problem of jobs mismatch and high unemployment.
The Palace welcomed the survey as a sign of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “endorsement appeal,” as eight of his preferred senatorial candidates made it to the winner’s circle.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the results show the people trust Duterte’s endorsed candidates.
Since the start of the campaign period, the President has been actively campaigning for his preferred candidates by attending rallies hosted by the ruling PDP-Laban party. With Nat Mariano
