Four re-electionist senators are top picks

Four incumbent senators are the top favorites when they seek re-election in the mid-term polls next year, a Social Weather Stations Inc. (SWS) survey showed.

Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sergio Osmeña III, Juan Flavier and Miriam Defensor-Santiago topped the so-called "Magic 12" in the SWS survey conducted March 4-20, during which President Estrada also emerged with a stable five percent net approval rating.

Presidential son and San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, who is said to be eyeing a Senate seat, landed in a dismal four-way tie at the 16th to 19th slots with Trade Secretary Mar Roxas, newly designated Press Secretary Ricardo Puno and former Pangasinan Gov. Oscar Orbos.

Two other incumbents made it to the Magic 12. Incoming Senate President Franklin Drilon was tied for seventh place with Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, while Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile tied for the 12th spot with former Speaker Jose de Venecia.

The item on senatorial preferences was included in the SWS first quarter survey. Using 1,200 statistically representative respondents, the item was not commissioned and was included on the SWS' own initiative.

Media personalities apparently could still pull in the votes, but not of the magnitude of Sen. Loren Legarda who was the topnotcher in 1998. This time, news anchorman Noli de Castro wound up fifth, though he himself expressed no interest in running.

Another media personality that fared well in the survey was lawyer Francis Pangilinan, husband of actress Sharon Cuneta, who placed a respectable 10th.

Aside from Mercado, another Cabinet member and former senator who got into the winning circle was Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara at No. 6.

On the other hand, maverick administration congressman Joker Arroyo of Makati was at ninth place, while Ambassador to the US Ernesto Maceda was at 11th.

The only re-electionist who was bumped off the winning list was Sen. Gregorio Honasan at 14th.

Several former senators who are said to be aiming to run again next year fared poorly. Representatives Agapito Aquino, Ernesto Herrera, Wigberto Tañada, and Heherson Alvarez all landed in the 20th spot and lower.

Although the elections are still a year away, the SWS said it was using its own list of potential candidates for the guidance of its subscribers and the general public.

This latest survey had a margin of error of plus or minus three percent, with a 95 percent confidence level. The SWS said it may modify the list of choices in future surveys depending on the political outlook.