Marcos Jr., Duterte-Carpio maintain lead; Robredo's numbers rise by 9% in March 2022 Pulse Asia survey
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is still in the lead in the latest Pulse Asia survey on the May presidential elections, while closest rival Vice President Leni Robredo's numbers increased the highest among the presidential candidates.
In the survey conducted from March 17 to 21 and released on April 6, Marcos Jr. garnered 56% of the votes among 2,400 respondents. His numbers dropped by 4% from the previous survey in March.
Meanwhile, Robredo's voter preference jumped to 24% from last month's 15% result.
While Marcos Jr. still leads in all locales, he registered negative points in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. On the other hand, Robredo lost one point in Metro Manila, gained 14% more voters in Balance Luzon, and 9% more voters in both Visayas and Mindanao.
During the survey period, both leading candidates held campaign rallies, which drew in big crowds. From March 17 to 21, Marcos Jr. courted Luzon voters in Bataan, Zambales, Marikina, and Malabon.
Robredo's rally in Ortigas on March 20 was the camp's reportedly biggest sortie to date, with organizers estimating a 180,000 turnout while police estimated 137,000. The lone female candidate also rallied supporters in Zamboanga during the survey period.
Aside from sorties, the Comission on Electsions (COMELEC) held its first presidential debate on March 19, which was attended by all the presidentiables except Marcos Jr.
Days before the survey was conducted, President Rodrigo Duterte described his ideal successor on March 12, saying they should be a lawyer who is compassionate, decisive, and a good judge of character. However, the incumbent chief of state has yet to endorse a specific candidate.
Only two of the ten candidates are lawyers: Robredo and Jose Montemayor.
Following the two candidates are Manila Mayor Isko Moreno with 8%, Senator Manny Pacquiao with 6%, and Senator Ping Lacson with 2%. Moreno and Pacquiao each lost 2% points in the latest poll.
Leody De Guzman, Faisal Mangondato, Ernesto Abella, Jose Montemayor, and Norberto Gonzales all got less than 1% of the vote.
Pulse Asia said the national poll has a ± 2% error margin at the 95% confidence level.
Duterte-Carpio keeps her lead
In the Vice Presidential race, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio continues to widen her lead, increasing her survey numbers from 53% to 56%, despite being absent from vice presidential debates.
Meanwhile, Senate President Tito Sotto's numbers decrease again from 24% to 20%
Robredo's runningmate Senator Kiko Pangilinan also posted an increase in voter shares with 15% from last month's 11%.
Dr. Willie Ong's number's dropped to 5% while Lito Atienza maintains his 1%. Other VP bets Manny Lopez, Walden Bello, Carlos Serapio, and Rizalito David got less than 1% in the survey.
Other key developments that took place in the weeks leading up to the survey, as per Pulse Asia, include:
- Placement of Metro Manila and 38 other areas across the country under Alert Level 1 as COVID-19 cases decline.
- Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on COMELEC to desist from removing campaign materials displayed on private properties.
- Rise in local gasoline prices.
- President Duterte granting a monthly subsidy of P200 per indigent households.
- Duterte signing into law legislative measures raising the age of sexual content from 12 to 16 years old.
- Duterte allowing full foreign ownership of telcos, airlines, and railways.
- The celebration of the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.