SWS: Admin bets maintain lead in Senate race

MANILA, Philippines — Administration bets continue to dominate the first pre-election survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) since the campaign period started earlier this month.

The Feb. 15 to 19 poll commissioned by the Stratbase Group still showed ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo as the most preferred candidate for the Senate in the May midterm elections.

Forty-five percent of respondents said they would vote for Tulfo if the elections were held during the survey period.

Tulfo was followed by reelectionists Sen. Bong Go, a close ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, and Sen. Lito Lapid, an administration candidate, garnering the support of 38 percent and 36 percent of respondents, respectively.

Also leading the February poll were former Senate president Vicente Sotto III (34 percent), media personality Ben Tulfo (34 percent), Sen. Bong Revilla (33 percent), Sen. Pia Cayetano (33 percent), former senator Ping Lacson (32 percent), Sen. Ronald dela Rosa (32 percent), former senator Manny Pacquiao (30 percent), outgoing Makati Mayor Abby Binay (30 percent) and television host Willie Revillame (30 percent).

Among the 12, only four are not part of the administration slate: Go, Ben Tulfo, Dela Rosa and Revillame.

Outside the so-called Magic 12 were Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar (29 percent), Sen. Imee Marcos (24 percent), former senator Francis Pangilinan (22 percent), former interior secretary Benhur Abalos (17 percent), former senator Bam Aquino (16 percent) and Sen. Francis Tolentino (15 percent).

Surveys essential

Stratbase Group president Dindo Manhit has underscored the importance of surveys in “gauging public sentiment, understanding issues and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.”

“These surveys provide a snapshot of the electorate’s priorities, concerns and inclinations, allowing voters to make informed choices and enabling candidates to address the real needs of the people,” he said.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier issued a resolution mandating survey firms to register with the poll body.

Rep. Tulfo faces another disqualification case

Rep. Erwin Tulfo is facing another disqualification case.

Graft-Free Philippine Foundation Inc. and Berteni Causing have asked the Comelec to disqualify Tulfo for immorality and other legal grounds.

Tulfo cannot run for public office since his conviction for four counts of libel had been affirmed by the Supreme Court, the complainants argued.

Even if Tulfo paid the fines, his moral turpitude disqualification cannot be served simultaneously, but successively, they said.

“If it is, then the moral turpitude disqualification of Tulfo can end at the earliest by the end of year 2028 if he paid the fines in 2008,” they said.

The petitioners also alleged that Tulfo was an American citizen.

If he runs with his brother Ben, they will deprive other Filipinos of “equal access to opportunity for public service,” the petitioners argued.

Also cited as grounds for Tulfo’s disqualification is a violation of the constitutional provisions against political dynasties and lack of academic qualification.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body will act expeditiously on the disqualification cases against Tulfo. — Mayen Jaymalin