Sotto, Drilon statistically tied for top spot in Pulse Asia survey

MANILA, Philippines – Incumbents Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate President Franklin Drilon were the top and second choices for senator in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

About 49.1 percent of respondents said they would vote for Sotto had the elections been held during the survey period while 47.6 percent said they are rooting for Drilon.

On the other hand, former senator and food security czar Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan took the third spot in the Pulse Asia survey with 43.8 percent. 

Three candidates were statistically tied at the fourth to sixth place. These are former senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson with 39.9 percent and Miguel “Migz” Zubiri with 39.4 percent. Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was preferred by 39 percent of respondents.

The remaining four candidates who were tied at the seventh to twelfth ranks are former PhilHealth board director Risa Hontiveros with 35.9 percent, Sen. Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III with 35.8 percent, Former TESDA Secretary Joel “TESDAman” Villanueva with 35.6 percent, Sen. Ralph Recto with 35.4 percent, former Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon with 35.2 percent and former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima with 35 percent.

A majority of the senatorial candidates who made it to the Top 12 on the senatorial survey are from the Liberal Party-led administration ticket. These are Drilon, Pangilinan, Lacson, Hontiveros, Recto, Villanueva and De Lima.

Most of the candidates who made it to the top twelve are re-electionists and former senators. Only four new names emergee in the Top 12: Hontiveros, Pacquiao, Villanueva and De Lima. 

The survey commissioned by ABS-CBN was conducted from April 12 to 17 nationwide with 4,000 respondents and an error margin of of +/-1.5.