Aquino keeps lead in Pulse Asia survey

MANILA (Updated, 12:48 p.m.) -- Senator Benigno "Nonoy" Aquino managed leads in the latest presidential survey, while his closest rival Sen. Manuel Villar suffered a four points decline in voter preference, according to the Pulse Asia survey released on Tuesday.

Aquino, standard bearer of Liberal Party (LP), increased by one point to 37 percent, while Villar of Nacionalista Party dropped four percentage points from 29 percent in February to 25 in the survey conducted last March 21-28.

Following Villar and Aquino in the Pulse Asia survey are former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada (18 percent), Lakas-Kampi-CMD's Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro (7 percent), Bagumbayan's Richard "Dick" Gordon and Bangon Pilipinas' Eddie Villanueva (2 percent).

At the bottom of the list were independent candidate Nicanor Perlas (0.30 percent), John Carlos "JC" Villanueva of Ang Kapatiran (0.20 percent), and independent candidate Sen. Jamby Madrigal (0.10 percent).

In the vice presidential race, Aquino's running mate Manuel "Mar" Roxas continued to enjoy a significant lead, at 47 percent, the Pulse Asia said.

Senator Loren Legarda and Makati Mayor Jenomar "Jojo" Binay are statistically tied in the vice presidential survey at 23 percent and 19 percent, respectively.

The survey said other vice presidential aspirants received support of three percent or less, namely: Bayani Fernando (3 percent), Edu Manzano (2 percent), Perfecto Yasay (1 percent), Jay Sonza (0.5 percent) and Dominador Chipeco (0.1 percent).

Nine percent of the survey respondents refused or remained undecided as to their presidential and vice presidential preference, the Pulse Asia said.

The survey was conducted using face to face interviews with 3000 respondents. It has a margin of error of plus-minus 2 percent at 95 percent confidence level.

Source: Sunstar.com.ph