Sara Duterte moves closer to top in Senate ‘Magic 12’: Pulse Asia

According to Pulse Asia’s pre-election survey conducted June 15-21, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte moved to between third to fifth place with 46.2 percent voter preference in the so-called “Magic 12.”(Photo: Inday Sara Duterte Supporters/Facebook)

MANILA — Presidential daughter and incumbent Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio continued to move closer on top of possible senatorial contenders in the 2019 midterm elections.

According to Pulse Asia’s pre-election survey conducted June 15-21, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte moved to between third to fifth place with 46.2 percent voter preference in the so-called “Magic 12.”

She received 43.8 percent level of support placing between fourth to seventh during March’s Pulse Asia survey.

Duterte-Carpio’s awareness level has also improved from 94 to 95 percent behind Senator Grace Poe with 99 percent awareness; Rep. Pia Cayetano (97 percent) and Senator Cynthia Villar (96 percent).

Poe, a losing presidential candidate in the 2016 presidential race won by Sara’s father, is still the frontrunner with 67.4 percent voter preference while Cayetano, a former senator, and Villar, are in second and third with 57.7 percent and 50.1 percent, respectively.

Close behind the presidential daughter is incumbent Senator Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, with 41.9 percent, followed by Jinggoy Estrada with 37.9.

Former Philippine National Police head and now Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa remains on the Top 12 list with 37.7 percent, along with former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (37.7 percent), Senator Nancy Binay (37.1 percent), Sergio Osmena (36.6 percent), Lito Lapid (36.2 percent) and JV Ejercito (35.6 percent).

The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,800 adult respondents throughout the country.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it would be too early to give comments on senatorial preference surveys.

“It (Pulse Asia Survey) has no meaning because all of us are focused on our work to help our President,” Roque said in a press briefing Monday.

Roque’s name was also included on the Pulse Asia’s probable senatorial candidates with 7.9 percent voter preference.