MANILA – Senator Grace Poe is now leading the presidential race in next year’s national elections after topping two voter preference surveys, escalating past Vice President Jejomar Binay who used to dominate the polls.
In the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from June 5 to June 8, 42 percent or almost half of voters chose Poe as their preferred presidential candidate in the coming national elections, while only 34 percent named Binay as their preferred presidential bid.
“I am truly humbled by the latest SWS survey results. I am very grateful that more people appreciate the kind of public service that I strive to uphold—transparent, honest and efficient,” Poe said in a statement.
Aside from the SWS survey, pollster Pulse Asia also released a similar poll with Poe also placing first among preferred presidential candidates and Binay following second.
In the Pulse Asia survey conducted from May 30 to June 5, 30 percent or majority of voters picked Poe as their preferred presidential successor, while only 22 percent cited Binay.
United Nationalist Alliance’s standard-bearer Binay, who used to top both the polls, was believed to be losing supporters as more corruption allegations are hurled against him.
With what may appear as a counterattack, Binay’s camp raised questions on Poe’s Philippine citizenship, being raised in the United States and being adopted by late presidential contender Fernando Poe Jr. and former actress Susan Roces.
Their attempt may now seem futile as Binay emerged second in both surveys. Nevertheless, Binay humbly accepted his drop in ratings.
“The Vice President respects the survey results. He sees them as barometers of the pulse of the public at a point in time. He will continue to listen to the people,” the Vice President’s spokesperson, Joey Salgado, said in a statement.
Binay is also thankful for landing second, still with wide public support.
“Despite the relentless attacks from his opponents, Vice President Jejomar Binay is thankful for the unwavering support as reflected in the SWS survey,” Salgado added.
Liberal Party’s possible presidential bid Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, on the other hand, remains unpopular in the presidential polls.
Following Roxas in the SWS survey are Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 20 percent, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada with 7 percent, former Senator Panfilo Lacson with 7 percent, Senator Francis Escudero with 4 percent, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 4 percent, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with 3 percent, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano with 2 percent, former Senator Manny Villar with 1 percent, Senator Loren Legarda with1 percent and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with1 percent.
Despite topping the two recent polls, Poe remains undecided whether to seek higher office in next year’s elections or not.