Latest Pulse Asia survey DUTERTE JUMPS TO NO. 3, BEHIND BINAY AND POE

By Manny Pinol

From out of nowhere, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte jumped to No.3 tied with former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada in the latest survey of preferred Presidential prospects conducted by Pulse Asia March 1 to 7 this year.

Still leading in the survey is embattled Vice President Jejomar Binay whose 29 percent rating is what remained of the very high 46 percent months ago, a result of a corruption and unexplained wealth controversy which he has not satisfactorily addressed.

Behind Vice President Binay with 14% is neophyte Senator Grace Poe, daughter of former movie stars Fernando Poe and Susan Roces whose wholesome image has gained a huge following.

Duterte and former President Estrada both have 12 percent, a not so pretty rating for the former President but a surprising figure for the Davao City Mayor who was not even included in the national surveys a few months back.

While Duterte’s showing in the survey was encouraging to his supporters and friends who are pushing him to vie for the Presidency, the performance of Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas was apparently disappointing as he could only muster 4 percent, way behind Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who got 9 percent and Senator Bongbong Marcos who had 6 percent.

Roxas is the presumptive presidential bet of the ruling Liberal Party to which President Aquino belongs.

Tied with Roxas also with 4 percent is Senator Chiz Escudero, followed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with 3 percent, Sen. Antonio Trillanes with 2 percent and former senators Ping Lacson and Richard Gordon with 1 percent.

While Binay leads the survey with his 29 percent, political analysts believe that the slide in his popularity rating will continue as he is hounded by issues of corruption and unexplained wealth.

Recent developments where the Office of the Ombudsman ordered a 6-month preventive suspension on his son, Makati Mayor Erwin Binay because the “proof of guilt” is strong in the case filed against him in relation to the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II, could further affect Binay’s popularity.

Duterte’s surprise high rating in the latest survey could lead to a stronger call from his supporters and admirers to throw his hat into the presidential derby in 2016.

The Davao City Mayor has not made any official announcement on his plans for 2016 but has lately indicated willingness to “listen” to the clamor of the people.