Pia tops senatorial polls in Davao City

If the elections were held today, Senator Pia S. Cayetano will likely emerge as the top choices for senator among Dabawenyo voters, according to a Davao City-wide survey conducted recently.

The survey conducted by the private research group, RACI (Random Access Consultants, Inc.).and commissioned by radio station network Bombo Radyo Philippines, showed Cayetano topping the list of senatoriables with 43.5 percent voter preference.

She is closely followed by fellow incumbents Jinggoy Estrada and Miriam Defensor-Santiago at second and third places, with 41.3 percent and 38.6 percent voter preference, respectively.

Rounding up of the top six are former senator Franklin Drilon (37.7 percent), and re-electionists Juan Ponce Enrile (36.1 percent) and Bong Revilla (34.8 percent).

Comebacking senators dominated the seventh to ninth spots: Ralph Recto (27.7 percent), Tito Sotto (25.6 percent), Serge Osmena III (24.8 percent), while completing the "magic twelve" are Gwendolyn Pimentel (21.7 percent), Bongbong Marcos (18. 2 percent) and Ruffy Biazon (17.8 percent) at 10th, 11th and 12th places. The last three were the only non-incumbents/former senators who made it to the top twelve. (See table below of Top 20 senatoriables)

The RACI survey used multi-stage probability sampling, covering 1,200 respondents of voting age from 64 barangays in the three districts of Davao City. It has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent with level of confidence at 95 percent.

Cayetano, who is seeking reelection under the Nacionalista Party, was elated over the news as she thanked Dabawenyos for their support.

"The survey indicates that the people of Davao City are aware and fully appreciative of the legislative work I've done in my first six years in the Senate," said the lady senator, who co-authored the following landmark laws: Expanded Senior Citizens Act; Magna Carta of Women; Expanded Breastfeeding Act; Cheaper Medicines Law; and Food and Drugs Administration Law, among others.

Senator Pia Cayetano was in Davao City over the weekend to receive the endorsement of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at the proclamation rally of "Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod" held Friday night at Rizal Park.

The senatoriables endorsed by Mayor Duterte are the following: Pia Cayetano, Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Gwen Pimentel, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Bong-Bong Marcos of the Nacionalista Party (6); Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile of Partido ng Masang Pilipino (2); Bebot Bello and Bong Revilla of Lakas-Kampi (2); Tito Sotto of the Nacionalist People's Coalition (1); and Frank Drilon of the Liberal Party (1).

Voter Preference for Senators (Over-all)

RACI Davao City-wide survey

No.of respondents: 1,200 from 64 barangays

Breakdown: District 1 (480), District 2 (420), District 3 (300)

Candidate (n=1,200) - Frequency - Percent

1. CAYETANO, Pia - 522 - 43.5 %
2. ESTRADA, Jinggoy - 495 - 41.3 %
3. DEFENSOR-Santiago, Miriam - 463 - 38.6 %
4. DRILON, Franklin - 452 - 47.7 %
5. ENRILE, Juan Ponce - 433 - 37.7%
6. REVILLA, Bong - 417 - 34.8 %
7. RECTO, Ralph - 332 - 27.7 %
8. SOTTO, Tito - 307 - 25.6 %
9. OSMENA, Serge III - 297 - 24.8 %
10. PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn - 260 - 21.7 %
11. MARCOS, Bongbong - 218 - 18.2 %
12. BIAZON, Ruffy - 213 - 17.8 %
13. LAPID, Lito - 202 - 16.8%
14. GUINGONA, Teofisto III - 198 - 16.5 %
15. DE VENECIA, Joey - 162 - 12.5 %
16. ROCO, Sonia - 149 - 12.4 %
17. LACSON, Alexander - 137 - 11.4 %
18. REMULLA, Gilbert - 119 - 9.9 %
19. TATAD, Francisco - 103 - 8.6 %
20. QUERUBIN, Ariel - 97 - 8.1 %