BONGBONG MARCOS SURGES IN TWO SURVEYS, TAKES SOLO LEAD IN VP RACE

SENATOR Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. has gained momentum as he surged in two separate surveys taking the solo lead in the vice presidential race.

The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC)-DZRH Third Wave Survey Result on April 2, 2016 showed Marcos surging to 29.8 percent taking the solo lead from closest rival Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero who garnered 22.6 percent.

On third place was Senator Allan Peter Cayetano at 18.4 percent and followed by Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo at 17.8 percent. Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Gregorio Honasan garnered 5.5 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively. 1.6 percent were undecided.

The survey used face-to-face interview with 7,490 respondents from randomly selected barangays throughout the different provinces all over the country harnessing the strength of the largest radio network in Asia. MBC has 175 stations under DZRH, Love Radio, Yes FM, Aksyon Radio, Hot FM and Radio Natin. It also operates DZRH News Television.

Meanwhile, Marcos also took the lead in the latest Pulso ng Pilipino polls. The non-commissioned survey conducted from March 16-22, 2016 by the Issues and Advocacy Center showed Marcos cornering 27 percent vote share, 3 percent higher than his closest rival, Senator Chiz Escudero who got 24 percent.

In the survey, 1,800 respondents were asked: "If the elections will be held today, who among these vice presidential candidates are you going to vote for. Please choose one." The survey has a confidence level of 98 percent and a margin of error of + 3 percent.

In the same poll, Rep. Leni Robredo got 21 percent, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano14 percent, Senator Antonio Trillanes 7 percent, and Senator Gringo Honasan 5 percent.

Marcos also led the rest of his rivals for A/B social classes with 27 percent, and 24, 23, and 24 percentage points for classes C, D, and E, respectively.

Ed Malay, director of the Center, said the survey showed the so-called millennials seem to be gravitating towards Marcos, whose campaign platform is anchored on unity and progress.

Marcos maintained that the rise of his numbers in the pre-election surveys was a product of the people's acceptance of his message for national unity.

"But we should not stop there. We will continue to bring the message to as many people as possible and give them hope and confidence that things will be better if they we have unity," he said.