Aquino Gains Slim Lead in Presidential Race—Poll

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has regained his lead over Senator Manny Villar, closest rival in the presidential race in the latest survey by Pulse Asia released this Friday.

Of the 1,800 respondents surveyed nationwide from February 21 to 25, 36 percent said they would vote for Aquino to Villar’s 29 percent if the 2010 elections were held today. The survey had a ±2 percent margin of error.

Despite the slim lead, however, Aquino’s rating was a one-percent drop from the previous 37 percent in the survey conducted January 22 to 26 that saw him in a statistical tie with Villar, who got 35 percent, with a ±2 percent margin of error.

Former president Joseph Estrada followed Villar in the February survey, with 18 percent; Former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro is in fourth place, with 7 percent; evangelist Brother Eddie Villanueva, 2 percent; and Senator Richard Gordon, 1 percent, the survey said.

Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal received 0.3 percent; Nicanor Perlas, 0.2 percent; Acosta Vetallano, 0.04 percent; JC de Los Reyes, 0, it said.

But Vetallano had been disqualified by the Commission on Elections from the race for lack of qualifications and funds to run a campaign.

Pulse Asia noted that the February survey was conducted at the height of the Senate’s plenary deliberations on the ethics complaint filed against Villar, who has been accused of using his position to profit from the allegedly anomalous C-5 road extension project.

Villar faced his colleagues in the plenary to reiterate his innocence but refused to entertain questions after delivering a speech.

In the vice presidential race, Aquino’s running mate, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas maintained his “sizable lead” over other candidates with 43 percent, but a drop of 4 percent from the January survey.

Villar’s running mate, Senator Loren Legarda came in second with 27 percent; and Estrada’s running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, 15 percent; Bayani Fernando, 4 percent; and Actor Edu Manzano, Teodoro’s running mate, 2 percent.

Source : Inquirer