In the survey conducted from September 8 to 14, Pulse Asia asked 2,400 respondents nationwide this question: If the 2016 senatorial elections were held today, who among the following personalities would you vote for if they were candidates You may choose up to 12 names.
Respondents were given a list of 50 candidates to choose from in a face-to-face interview. The survey has a margin of error of +/-2 percent.
Included in the Top 12 are as follows:
1. Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III ( 63.6 percent)
2. Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (59.3 percent)
3. Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.(54.9 percent)
4. Senate President Franklin Drilon (48.2 percent)
5. Former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (46.6 percent)
6. Sen. Ralph Recto (45.4 percent)
7. Former Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (41.4 percent)
8. Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao (39.6 percent)
9. Sen. Sergio Osmeña III ( 38.7 percent)
10. Former Sen. Richard Gordon (36.8 percent)
11. Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar (35.8 percent)
12. Former Sen. Jamby Madrigal (35.2 percent)*
12. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (35.2 percent)*
* Tie at No. 12
As shown in the survey result, Pacquiao is ranked No. 8.
The Philippine senate is composed of 24 senators. Of this number, 12 are completing their terms in 2016 thus 12 positions are up for grabs.
The Pulse Asia survey is the last to be conducted before the official filing of certificates of candidacy from October 12 to 16, 2015.