Binay ties Roxas; Noynoy widens lead in new SWS survey

The vice presidential race continued to heat up as the elections draw nearer, with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay tying Senator Manuel Roxas II, who previously dominated pre-election surveys. In the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last May 2 to 3, Binay and Roxas received a voting preference of 37 percent each. The results were posted on Thursday by television personality Kris Aquino-Yap on her official Twitter account. Kris is the youngest sister of presidential front runner Sen. Benigno Aquino III. The survey was supposedly commissioned by BusinessWorld. The results are expected to be made public on Friday. BusinessWorld refused to comment on the matter, even as sources from the Aquino camp confirmed the results. Roxas’ rating was two points lower, while Binay picked up 12 points from the poll conducted last April. [See: Roxas rating drops as Binay's picks up] Sen. Loren Legarda, who previously ranked second, dropped by 12 points to score 12 percent. In the presidential derby, meanwhile, Aquino has widened further his lead, getting 42 percent. Former President Joseph Estrada, who obtained 20 percent, zoomed past former second placer Senator Manuel Villar Jr., who received a 19-percent voting preference. Administration bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. scored 9 points. — LBG, GMANews.TV