Veteran lawmakers, opposition bets in ‘Magic 12’ in senatorial pre-election survey

Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of sitting lawmakers, newcomers, and opposition bets remained in the top senatorial preferences if elections were held in November, a survey showed on Friday, Dec. 13.

In a non-commissioned survey released by Publicus Asia, ACT-CIS party-list representative Erwin Tulfo topped the list with a 41 percent voting preference.

At second is celebrity doctor Willie Ong, who led the previous poll on Oct. 16-17.

Sitting and former lawmakers again made it to the cut including Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Bato dela Rosa, and Manny Pacquiao.

Erwin’s brother, Ben Tulfo, was also in the Top 12, while opposition bets and former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino were on the list as well.

Meanwhile, reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos slipped to 13th spot, dislodged by Sen. Francis Tolentino.

The pollster surveyed 1,500 respondents from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3 with a ±3% margin of error.