Chiz, Loren lead pack of ’13 senatorial poll bets

If senatorial elections were held today, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Loren Legarda would be ahead of the pac, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.

The survey released on Wednesday had Escudero garnering 65.6 percent to earn the top spot, followed by Legarda with 58.9 percent.

Transportation and Telecommunication Secretary Manuel Roxas II, a former senator, came in third with a 43 percent score, followed by another re-electionist Alan Peter Cayetano with 40.3 percent.

Former vice president Noli de Castro completed the top five with 34.8 percent.

Notably a new entry, Joseph Victor “JV” Estrada—a son of former president Joseph Estrada—came in 6th place with 30.4 percent, followed by Gregorio Honasan with 29.6 percent.

Another new entry is Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr., son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who took the 8th place with 29.5 percent. He was followed by Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III with 29.4 percent.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima made it to the top 10 by garnering 29.4 percent.

Incumbent Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Juan Miguel Zubiri completed the top 12 with 28.7 percent and 26.8 percent, respectively.

Within striking distance of the top 12 were Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, a son of Senator Edgardo Angara, followed by former senators Jamby Madrigal and Richard Gordon.

The survey was conducted from Nov. 10 to 23 and is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.

During the survey period, the dominant news items included the Supreme Court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order on the watch list order against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and husband Jose Miguel T. Arroyo.

By John Concepcion