Ferdinand Marcos Jr garnered a 44-point lead over Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo in the Jan. 19-24 survey by independent pollster Pulse Asia, an 11-point increase compared with the previous poll in early December.
he son and namesake of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos strengthened his lead over his closest rival ahead of the presidential election in May, results of a new poll released on Sunday showed.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr garnered a 44-point lead over Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo in the Jan. 19-24 survey by independent pollster Pulse Asia, an 11-point increase compared with the previous poll in early December.
A total of 2,400 respondents were asked to pick their first choice for president and vice president if the election were held during the survey period, with 60 percent expressing preference for Marcos, while 16 percent chose Robredo.
In the December poll with the same sample size, Marcos was on top with 53 percent compared to Robredo's 20 percent.
Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Manila city mayor Francisco Domagoso trailed, each getting 8 percent while Senator Panfilo Lacson took 4 percent.
In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately.
Marcos' running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, remained the top choice for vice president, taking a 21-point lead over her closest rival, Senate President Vicente Sotto.
The latest Pulse Asia survey was conducted before the Philippines' Commission on Elections last week dismissed a series of complaints seeking to disqualify Marcos, removing a major hurdle for him in the May 9 contest.
The complaint's petitioners have vowed to challenge the decision and can appeal to the Supreme Court.
The election body also rejected a complaint seeking the cancellation of Marcos' certificate of candidacy.
As frontrunner, Marcos appears poised to complete a remarkable rebranding of the family name 36 years after a "people power" uprising ended his father's autocratic rule.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.