MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The tandem of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained a commanding lead in the latest election survey released on Sunday.
A national survey by Pulse Asia conducted from Jan. 19 to 24 showed that 60 percent of the 2,400 Filipinos aged 18 and above surveyed said they would vote for Marcos for president, while 50 percent said they would pick Carpio for vice president.
The pollster said the former senator and son of former President Ferdinand Marcos "enjoys the lead in all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, 53 to 66 percent and 50 to 61 percent, respectively."
He was followed by incumbent Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, with 16 percent, Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso with 8 percent each, while Senator Panfilo Lacson, 4 percent.
Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City mayor, is currently the frontrunner in the vice presidential race. "Half of the country's likely voters are inclined to elect (Carpio for vice president)," the polling agency said.
Duterte, whose six-year term ends in June, has yet to endorse any presidential candidate.
Like in past elections, some candidates already started campaigning on TV, social media and radio months before the campaign season started.
Trailing Carpio was Senate President Vicente Sotto with 29 percent and Senator Francis Pangilinan with 11 percent.
The national and local elections are scheduled for May 9. There are 10 presidential candidates and nine vice-presidential candidates. The Philippine constitution only permits president to serve a single six-year term. ■