(Bloomberg) -- Former Philippine Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator, led by a wide margin in a presidential preference survey conducted this month by pollster Pulse Asia Research Inc.
Marcos was chosen by 53% of the 2,400 respondents as their preferred successor to President Rodrigo Duterte, Pulse Asia said on Wednesday. Vice President Leni Robredo, the opposition leader, came a distant second with 20%. The survey was conducted Dec. 1-6, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 2%.
Amid the upsurge in popularity, Marcos is facing several petitions before the elections commission to disqualify him or cancel his presidential bid, mostly citing his tax conviction in 1997. His camp has said that Marcos is qualified for the presidency, and that he has not committed any offense that bars him from seeking the top post.
Facebook Users Rewrite Marcos History in Race to Succeed Duterte
Marcos' running mate and the president's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, led the vice-presidential race with 45% of the respondents supporting her. Senate President Tito Sotto was ranked second with 31%.
President Duterte made it to the top twelve choices for Senate seats, but he dropped his candidacy last week. Among the leading choices for senator are former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, media personality Raffy Tulfo, and Congresswoman Loren Legarda.
National elections will be held on May 9, where some 8,000 government positions are up for grabs.
©2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
