Binay still top presidential bet; Duterte passes Miriam, Marcos

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the persistent corruption allegations against him, Vice President Jejomar Binay remains to be the top presidential contender for the 2016 national elections, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The March 2015 survey on Filipinos' presidential preference released on Tuesday showed Binay getting the support of the 29 percent of voters, up from 26 percent in November 2014.

Sen. Grace Poe is still in second place even if her voter preference rating dipped from 18 percent to 14 percent.

Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada moved up to third place after his rating increased from 10 percent to 12 percent.

Tied with Estrada was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was not among the possible presidential candidates included in the previous Pulse Asia surveys.

Following Estrada and Duterte were Sens. Miriam Defensor Santiago (9 percent) and Bongbong Marcos (6 percent) and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas (4 percent), the presumptive standard-bearer of President Aquino's Liberal Party.

Next in the list were Sens. Chiz Escudero (4 percent), Alan Cayetano (3 percent) and Antonio Trillanes (2 percent).

Former Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon (both 1 percent) completed the list.

Vice presidential preference

Poe, the topnotcher of the 2013 senatorial elections, is still the top vice presidential contender for next year's polls with a voter preference rating of 29 percent.

Escudero was on second place (16 percent) followed by Cayetano (13 percent), Duterte (11 percent) and Marcos (11 percent).

Completing the list were Trillanes (6 percent), detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (4 percent), Senate President Franklin Drilon (3 percent), detained Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. (2 percent) and Congresswoman Leni Robredo (0.4 percent).