Pacquiao’s increase in ranking is significant compared to a similar survey conducted by Pulse Asia for ABS-CBN last March 13-20 which showed Pacquiao at 6-12 in the senatorial ranking.
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.
In the SWS survey, Pacquiao shares his 5-7 ranking at 31 percent with fellow senatorial candidates Leila de Lima, and ex-senator Migz Zubiri.
Incumbent senator Franlin Drillon ranked first (45 percent) followed by Vicente Sotto (42 percent) in the second place while Kiko Pangilinan and Panfilo Lacson (37 percent) took the third and fourth spot.
Included in the Magic 12 are Risa Hontiveros, Sergio Osmeña III, Ralph Recto, and Dick Gordon, each with 30 percent. Joel Villanueva took the 12th spot at 28 percent. Of about 50 candidates for senator, only 12 will be chosen in the May 9 election.
Pacquiao’s ranking is expected to move further up in the next survey because of his surging media exposure brought about by his victory over Timothy Bradley last April 9 or one week before the survey was conducted.
