Poe Pulls Away in Latest SWS Presidential Survey; Thanks the People for Continuing Support

(PNA) – Presidentiable Grace Poe, who topped the 2013 senatorial elections, thanked the Filipino people on Monday for the growing support and trust on her as shown in the most recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) presidential and vice presidential survey.

Based on the SWS survey conducted among 1,200 respondents from Sept. 2-5, Poe remains the top choice for president in 2016 with 47 percent, up from 42 percent in June this year.

The results of the survey were released Sunday night, five days after Poe declared her candidacy for president in the coming May 2016 elections, with Senator Francis Escudero as her running mate.

”From the bottom of my heart, I thank the Filipino people for their support and trust. I am again humbled that our kababayans (countrymen) continue to appreciate our hard work and the brand of governance that we are upholding and pushing,” Poe said.

”Our growing support from the people, as reflected in this survey, is an affirmation that what we have started is on the right track. It’s a validation that our agenda for transparency, efficiency and honesty resonate well with our people,” she added.

As a public servant who topped the 2013 senatorial race, Poe said she will continue to carry out her mandate and serve the people.

”Our people’s unwavering support remains an inspiration,” Poe said.

According to the survey results released Sunday night, Liberal Party’s presidential bet Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II also showed huge improvement from 21 percent in June to 39 percent in September.

Roxas, who was endorsed by President Benigno Aquino II as the administration standard-bearer last Aug. 28, dislodged Vice President Jejomar Binay for the second spot.

Binay skidded to third place with 35 percent, down by one percentage point from June’s survey amid allegations of graft and corruption thrown against him.

The 1,200 respondents were asked to give three names on who would be the best leader to succeed President Aquino.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was out of the top three choices as he suffered decline from 20 percent in June to 16 percent. He announced last Sept. 7 that he will no longer run for president.

Completing the names included in the presidential survey were Senator Francis Escudero with 6.0 percent; Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (5.0%); Joseph Estrada (3.0%); Miriam Santiago (2.0%); and Panfilo Lacson, Manny Villar and Alan Peter Cayetano with 1.0 percent each.

Poe also topped the survey for vice president with 25 percent, followed by her running mate Escudero who got 18 percent, up from only 7.0 percent in the June survey, and Marcos with 6.0 percent from only 1.0 percent three months earlier.

Escudero announced his vice presidential bid last Sept. 17, accepting Poe’s offer to be her running mate in the May 2016 elections.

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, one of Roxas’ prospective running mates, was in eighth spot with 2.0 percent behind Roxas (6.0%), Binay (5.0%), Duterte (3.0%), and Cayetano (3.0%). (PNA) SCS/JFM