Sen. Manny Pacquiao supporters in Bulacan (Facebook photo)
MANILA – Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. retained his overwhelming lead over Vice President Leni Robredo in the presidential race, according to a latest survey result.
The surprise development in the Pulse Asia survey result from April 15 to 20, however, was Senator Manny Pacquiao overtaking Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso for the No. 3 spot.
Pacquiao placed third with a 7 percent preference score, higher than his 6 percent rating in March, while Domagoso was down to 4 percent from 8 percent in March.
The survey that used face-to-face interviews with 2,400 adults showed Marcos getting a 56 percent preference rating, followed by Robredo at 23 percent.
Pacquiao was campaigning at his birthplace in Kibawe, Bukidnon and could not be reached for comment.
Among the events during the survey period was the Easter Sunday press conference on April 17 at a Makati City five-star hotel attended by Domagoso and fellow presidential aspirants Senator Panfilo Lacson and Norberto Gonzales, and vice presidential bets Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Dr. Willie Ong.
Pacquiao was supposed to attend the press conference straight from General Santos City but encountered airport delays.
In the press conference, the candidates vowed to fight all forms of electoral sabotage while Domagoso repeatedly asked Robredo to withdraw after the Vice President also asked him and Lacson to back out.
The rest of the candidates garnered a single-digit score – Lacson, 2 percent; Ernesto Abella and Faisal Mangondato, 1 percent; Leody de Guzman, 0.3 percent; and Norberto Gonzales and Jose Montemayor, 0.1 percent.
Pacquiao previously said pre-election surveys won’t bother him and his focus will remain on reaching poor Filipinos to whom he dedicates his candidacy. (PNA)
