SWS survey: Noynoy choice of 50% of voters

BY REGINA BENGCO




Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/12232009/news4.html


LIBERAL Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III would be the choice of almost 50 percent of voters if elections were held today, the Dec. 5-10 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.

The SWS 2010 pre-election survey was the first to ask 2,100 respondents who they would vote for if elections were held today. Among 11 listed candidates, SWS said 46.2 percent chose Aquino.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. had 27 percent, followed by former president Joseph Estrada with 16 percent, former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. with 4.6 percent, Jesus is Lord leader Eduardo Villanueva with 1.1 percent, and Sen. Richard Gordon with 0.9 percent.

Sen. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal got 0.2 percent of votes, Olongapo City councilor John Carlos de los Reyes received 0.1 percent, and environmentalist Jesus Nicanor Perlas obtained 0.03 percent.

A previous survey conducted in November asked respondents who they think would best succeed President Arroyo, given a choice of three. This accounted for a total percentage exceeding 100 percent.

Among the vice presidential aspirants, 43.3 percent chose Sen. Manuel Roxas II.

He was followed by Sen. Loren Legarda (32 percent), Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay (10.2 percent), former Optical Media Board chairman Eduardo Manzano (2.6 percent), former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando (1.8 percent), broadcaster Jose "Jay" Sonza (0.3 percent) and former Securities and Exchange chief Perfecto Yasay Jr. (0.1 percent). None of the respondents chose Dominador Chipeco Jr.

Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said Malacañang remains optimistic about the chances of Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate Teodoro, adding that his ratings are still low because the people do not know him yet.

Olivar said Teodoro resisted the temptation to exploit his former position as defense chief and chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council for electioneering.

Teodoro, in a press statement, said he is unperturbed about placing a weak fourth in the surveys. He said the elections are four months away and a lot of things can still happen.

"Voting results and not poll surveys will determine the victors in next year’s presidential race," he said.

In the same SWS survey, reelectionist Sen. Miriam Santiago led the senatorial race with 55 percent of votes.

Completing the Magic 12 are Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. (54 percent), Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (53 percent), Sen. Pilar Juliana Cayetano (48 percent), former senator Franklin Drilon (47 percent), former senator and planning secretary Ralph Recto (44 percent), former senator and Dangerous Drugs Board chair Vicente Sotto III (40 percent), Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (37 percent), Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (32 percent), former senator Sergio Osmeña III (31 percent), Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (24 percent), and Sen. Manuel Lapid (23 percent).

SWS said within striking distance are Jose De Venecia III (21 percent), Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon (20 percent), Sonia Roco (18 percent), and Gwendolyn Pimentel (17 percent).


Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/12232009/news4.html