Reelectionists dominate senatorial race in new SWS poll

Incumbent and former senators seeking re-elections in the May 10 polls once again dominated the latest pre-election survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla still remained on top with 53 percent voting preference, followed closely by Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada with 52 percent, and Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago with 44 percent. The survey, commissioned by BussinessWorld, was conducted from March 19 to 22 and had a +/2 percent error margin. Ranking fourth was another incumbent senator, Pilar Juliana “Pia" Cayetano, with 42 percent – a nine-point fall from the SWS conducted last February 24 to 28. Cayetano was followed by former Senate President Franklin Drilon with 36 percent, incumbent Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (35%), and former Senator Vicente “Tito" Sotto III (33%). Former senator and Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Ralph Recto and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. were at the eight and ninth place, getting 30 percent each. Reelectionist Sen. Manuel “Lito" Lapid ranked 10th with 26 percent, while former Senator Sergio Osmeña III ranked 11th with 25 percent. Entering the top 12 for the first time was Nacionalista Party spokesperson and former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, who got 24 percent – a 10-point jump from the SWS survey last month. He ranked 18th to 20th in past SWS senatorial surveys. Both Marcos and Remulla are scions of powerful political families. There are 66 candidates running for senator in the May 10 elections. - KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV