Escudero still No. 1 in VP race, poll shows

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

SEN. FRANCIS “Chiz” Escudero remains the top choice for Vice President in the May general elections, according to the latest VP survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Results of the survey, conducted from Dec. 12 to Dec. 14 and published in a business newspaper Wednesday, found about a third of voters choosing Escudero (30 percent), whose numbers remain unchanged from November.

Tied on second spot with 19 percent each were Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo (up from 12 percent in November), and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (down from 24 percent). Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano followed at 17 percent (down 21 percent).

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s running mate, Sen. Gringo Honasan, posted 8 percent (from 6 percent), while Sen. Antonio Trillanes scored 5 percent (unchanged).

The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

The question was: “Among the names found in this list, who will you probably vote for as Vice President of the Philippines, if the elections were held today?”

“The respondents were furnished with all 19 names of those who filed their certificates of candidacy for Vice President to choose from, and gave their answers orally,” SWS said in a statement.

Robredo said her low-key, grassroots approach to campaigning was obviously working like a charm.

“The result of the latest SWS survey is an early Christmas gift, not only for me and my family, but for my supporters and volunteers who have worked tirelessly in this fight,” she said.

She said her campaign strategy of staying true to herself had apparently paid dividends as this allowed her to stand out against her male and more politically experienced rivals.

The Camarines Sur lawmaker was the biggest gainer among vice presidential bets in the latest SWS survey as her number jumped to 19 percent from 12 percent in November.

Robredo’s camp noted that Marcos’ and Cayetano’s numbers went down while Escudero’s remained unchanged.

“I am honored and humbled by the continued support of our countrymen,” Marcos said in a statement.

He also said he would continue to do his job, and that the real survey would be the May elections.

“Whatever the results, the Pulse Asia survey and other survey firms’ results will be, these will inspire me to work harder in the coming months to effect the change every Filipino aspires for and deserves. We are the future,” he said.

Marcos, the son and namesake of the late dictator, is believed to command the support of the Ilocos region, his father’s bailiwick. Inquirer Research with reports from Gil Cabacungan and Leila B. Salaverria