Sen. Grace Poe. RICHARD A. REYES/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
STA. BARBARA, ILOILO—Sen. Grace Poe on Monday welcomed results of the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey with her leading the presidential race.
“I am thankful to the people,” Poe told reporters at the sidelines of a campaign sortie in Sta. Barbara town in Iloilo province.
READ: Poe grabs top spot in latest SWS poll; Binay loses big | Poe’s presidential run a mockery of PH elections – Justice Carpio
Poe got 27 percentage points in the March 4 to 7 SWS survey.
She was followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay who got 24 percent, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas at 22 percent, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 21 percent and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago with four percent.
Duterte, however, told reporters in Tacloban City, Leyte that he was not bothered by the latest SWS survey results.
“It’s good,” Duterte said. “At the end of the day, I will be your last card.”
Asked whether he saw survey results as a reflection of the reception he was getting from his supporters on the ground, he said: “Maybe by the standards of the survey companies.”
“I do not question survey companies. But you are not there until you are there. That has always been the rule in the elections. You are not there until you are there,” Duterte said.
He added his campaign would not be shaped by surveys.
“Let the campaign remain that way,” the tough-talking mayor said. “Let the people decide.”
READ: Duterte camp claims gaining more ‘converts’ despite ratings slump
The SWS survey was done before the March 8 ruling of the Supreme Court which upheld Poe’s eligibility to run for president in the upcoming elections in May.
Poe said she was praying that the survey results would still improve after the high court ruling.
She said there was still a need for all candidates to go to places in the country and present their program.
Meanwhile, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, said the latest SWS survey showed the tandem of Roxas and Rep. Leni Robredo within striking distance of winning.
“Both are the biggest gainers compared to their rivals whose figures continue to drop in recent surveys,” said Belmonte who was at a gathering of officials and candidates of Negros Occidental to show support for Roxas and Robredo. CB/RAM