Old-timers in politics topped the ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey of senatorial candidates in the 2016 elections, the survey company said on Wednesday.
In the Pulse Asia survey commissioned by media network ABS-CBN, incumbent Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III led the survey with a 72.6 percent rating.
Second was former Senator Panfilo Lacson with 65.3 percent voting preference and statistical ranking of 2nd to 3rd places.
Following Lacson, who was also Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, were incumbent Senator Ralph Recto with 62.9 percent and ranking of 2nd to 6th places, former senator Francis Pangilinan with 58 percent (ranking of 3rd and 6th places), Senate President Franklin Drilon with 57.5 percent (ranking of 3rd and 7th places), former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also with 57.5 percent (3rd-7th places) and incumbent Senator Sergio Osmeña III with 52.1 percent (ranking of 5th and 9th places).
Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who is running for the first time for the Senate, was 7th to 10th with 50.2 percent.
Former senator Richard Gordon, current chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, ranked 7th to 10th with 49.7 percent.
The candidates who also made it to the “Magic 12” were incumbent Senator Teofisto Guingona III with 44.8 percent and ranking of 8th to 10th places, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima with 37.9 percent and ranking of 11th to 12th places and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel with a ranking of 11th to 12th places.
Pulse Asia said the survey was conducted from November 8 to 15, had 1,200 respondents. It had an error margin of +/-3.
The respondents were asked by Pulse Asia to choose from a list of names.