Pacquiao’s ranking in the latest survey is 6-12, the same as the survey result conducted by Pulse Asia last March 8-13, also for ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
The March 15-20 survey used a sample of 4,000 respondents nationwide with an error margin of plus/minus 1.5 percent
Pacquiao’s ranking in the previous surveys remained consistent since filing his candidacy late last year but in February this year his ranking disappeared from the Magic 12 winning candidates due to his same-sex marriage statement which drew outrage from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community.
Pacquiao has since apologized to the pubic in general and to the LGBT community in particular for his “insensitive” statement but maintained his stand on same sex-marriage based on what he learned from the Bible.
Among the senatorial candidates, Pacquiao has the highest awareness rating followed by former senator Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Vicente Sotto.
Pacquiao has not been able to campaign unlike the other candidates due to his upcoming trilogy fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 37-year-old Filipino boxing star said he intends to rush back home right after the April 9 fight to seek voters’ support in his bid to win a senate seat.
Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach said his chances of winning in the upcoming elections will be better if he can put up a good fight and win over Bradley on fight night.
“I told him a KO means he’ll do better in the Senate race. With a KO, the country will go crazy,” Roach told RingTV.com.
