Villar tops new SWS poll

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manuel Villar has emerged as the top choice of Filipinos to be the next president in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

Vice President Noli de Castro, who topped previous SWS surveys on “presidentiables,” slipped to fourth place, according to the SWS’ second quarter survey conducted from June 19 to 22.

In the survey, 33 percent of the respondents named Villar as the best choice for 2010, up from 26 percent in February.

Former President Joseph Estrada came in second with 25 percent from 13 percent previously.

Estrada was followed by Senators Francis Escudero and Manuel Roxas II who were tied at third with 20 percent.

In the February survey, Escudero ranked fourth with 19 percent and Roxas fifth with 15 percent, the SWS said.

De Castro obtained 19 percent of votes, his lowest rating since September 2007, down from 27 percent in February.

SWS said this is the first time that De Castro’s name is not the leading answer to the survey question.

Meanwhile, Legarda’s latest score went down from 25 percent in February to 15 percent in June.

SWS asked the respondents: “Under the present Constitution, the term of President Arroyo is up to 2010 only and there will be an election for a new President in May 2010. Who do you think are good leaders who should succeed President Arroyo as President?’

SWS said no names were provided and respondents could recommend up to three candidates.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson obtained seven percent and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay received four percent. The two were ranked sixth in the survey.

Sen. Richard Gordon, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, and President Arroyo scored one percent each.

Other personalities who were included in the survey were Sen. Francis Pangilinan, TV evangelist Eddie Villanueva, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. An unspecified “Estrada” and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. had scores below a percentage point.

The non-commissioned survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults. It had an error margin of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

In a statement, Villar said he was “heartened” by the support shown by the people in the SWS survey.

“I am really heartened by the support shown by the people in this survey,” he said.

“I thank the people for keeping the faith despite attempts to bring me down with unfounded allegations of wrongdoing.

“This is heart-warming. It certainly invigorates me to work harder. A lot of our kababayans need our help here and around the world.”

While it is too early to say whether the trend would continue till the run-up to next year’s elections, he would do his best to live up to the trust and confidence given to him by the people, the Nacionalista Party president said.

‘We must work harder’

Nacionalista Party spokesman Gilbert Remulla said the SWS survey showing Villar as a presidential frontrunner has prompted them to “work even harder.”

“We are thankful that the electorate – through the respondents – are placing their trust in Senator Villar as the best person to succeed the current occupant of Malacañang as president of the republic in 2010,” he said.

Remulla, who is reported to be included in Villar’s Senate slate, said they also recognize that elections are nine months away, and that the “campaign season is the critical period for the electorate to make their choice.”

“We also believe that the baseless accusations and criticisms against Senator Villar will not stop and are even expected to increase in the months to come,” he said.

“This situation is what is driving the NP to prepare all the more. The party is also in the final stages of formulating our road map for the country’s future through continuous consultations with stakeholders and experts from all over the country.

“We are currently moving to further strengthen the party in both the national and local levels as well as exploring the possibility of forming coalitions and alliances with other parties.” — Helen Flores, Christina Mendez, Delon Porcalla, Philippine Star