MANILA, Philippines – Neophyte Senator Grace Poe continues to be the front runner in the presidential race, based on the results of the latest poll of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted in early September.
The SWS survey results, first published in BusinessWorldat 11 pm on Sunday, September 20, also showed administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II advancing to second place, further dislodging Vice President Jejomar Binay who is now ranked third.
The results of the early September survey showed voters' preference for Poe at 47%, up by 5 percentage points from 42% in June.
Among the 3 declared presidential candidates, Roxas posted the highest jump in voters' preference – 39% in September from 21% in June, an 18-percentage point increase.
Voters' preference for Binay was statistically unchanged at 35%, from 34% in June.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who had announced that he would not seek the presidency, was fourth with 16%, from 20% in June.
The others are Senator Francis Escudero, 6%; Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, 5%; former president now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, 3%; Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, 2%; and former senators Panfilo Lacson and Manuel Villar, and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, 1%.
During the survey period on voters' presidential preferences from September 2 to 5, 1,200 respondents nationwide were asked to name a maximum of 3 people they believe should succeed President Benigno Aquino III.
Poe, Chiz top 2 picks for vice president
The survey also results showed declared presidential candidate Poe leading the vice presidential race with 25% voters' preference, followed by running mate Senator Francis Escudero with 18%.
Voters' preference for Camarines Sur Third District Representative Leni Robredo, who was offered to be Roxas' running mate last week, is at 2%. Robredo was not part of the past two surveys covering the months of March and June.
Voters' preference for Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, who is being eyed as Binay's vice presidential candidate, is at 6%; Roxas, 6%; Binay, 5%; and Cayetano and Duterte, both at 3%.
Others obtained 1% voters' preference: Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Estrada, Santiago, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Villar, Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, and Lacson.
Unlike the presidential preference poll, respondents were asked to list only one preferred vice presidential candidate.
The survey results had sampling error margins of ±3 percentage points for national percentages and ±6 percentage points each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. – Rappler.com