SWS: 8 Alyansa bets in Magic 12

With just three days to go before election day, senatorial candidates of the administration slate Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas continued to dominate what is likely the final pre-election survey, with eight of its 11 bets landing in the Magic 12.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from 2 to 6 May showed the top 12 composed of eight contenders from Alyansa, two from PDP Laban, and two independents.

Topping the list was ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo of Alyansa with 45 percent voting preference, followed by PDP Laban’s Senator Christopher “Bong” Go with 43 percent.

Tulfo and Go have been locked in a tight race alternating in the top spot in recent surveys.

Former senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (Alyansa) was third with 37 percent, while reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid — also of Alyansa — and independent candidate Ben Tulfo were tied for fourth to fifth place, both with 34 percent.

Alyansa’s Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was in solo sixth with 32 percent, while Makati Mayor Abby Binay — also with the administration ticket — and reelectionist Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa of PDP Laban shared the seventh to eighth spot with 31 percent.

Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar and reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano — both with Alyansa — were tied in the ninth to 10th spot with 30 percent.

Last to make it to the Magic 12 were reelectionists Ramon “Bong” Revilla (Alyansa) and Imee Marcos (independent) with 29 percent.

Meanwhile, in the 13th to 15th spots were Alyansa’s Manny Pacquiao and Benhur Abalos, and independent candidate Willie Revillame, all with 24 percent.

Former senators Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan received 23 and 21 percent, respectively, grabbing the 16th and 17th spots.

On the other hand, candidates who received less than 20 percent included bets from the so-called “DuterTen” — Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Phillip Salvador and Jimmy Bondoc.

Marcoleta got 17 percent to rank 18th, while Salvador shared the 19th to 20th spot with 1-Rider Rep. Bonifacio Bosita with 16 percent.

Alyansa’s reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino ranked 21st with 15 percent, followed by former senator Gringo Honasan with 14 percent, while Bondoc placed 23rd with 11 percent.

Other “DuterTen” candidates or PDP Laban bets — Vic Rodriguez, Raul Lambino, and Apollo Quiboloy — were tied at 24th to 26th place, each with eight percent.

Sixty-six candidates are vying for 12 Senate seats in the 12 May polls. They have until 10 May, or the close of the 90-day campaign period, to court the voting public.