The Social Weather Station's (SWS) survey on the preferred "president" in 2010, conducted between December 15-30 2007 showed senators Loren Legarda and vice president Noli de Castro in a close first and second places finish respectively.
Former President Erap Estrada was not included in the survey. Ranked in order, the Filipinos' choice for president (if elections held today) are: (1) Loren Legarda (2) Noli de Castro (3) Senator Chiz Escudero (4) Senator Ping Lacson (5) Senate President Manny Villar (6) Senator Mar Roxas (7) Makati Mayor Jojo Binay (
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando (9) Senator Dick Gordon and (10) Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte.
If carried out in the flesh, it will be a return grudge fight between Legarda and De Castro, both TV broadcast practitioners before jumping to politics. In 2004, De Castro "won" the vice president (with running-mate GMA) getting 49% of votes and Legarda (with the late FPJ) getting 46% of votes. Legarda lodged an electoral protest with the PET (Presidential Electoral Tribunal) which is still unresolved and which appears to have been overtaken by Loren's topping the senate race for the second time (first one in 1998) in 2007.
Senator Villar who had the highest approval rating among top-ranking government officials at + 59 over De Castro's + 41, did not figure as well in the survey whether people wanted him president as he only ranked No. 5. He continues to have vast visibility, however, being the current senate president.
Except for De Castro who continues to claim to be without a political party, the first seven top choices are from the Opposition. De Castro has been openly courted by both Opposition and Administration leaders as with Legarda likewise. Legarda, however, has been more vocal about her staying with the Opposition. Erap reportedly told Loren "it would be suicide for you to return to Lakas" - the original party of Legarda before the 2004 polls.
Legarda's wedding godson and fellow NPC member Escudero (who also run second to Loren in 2007 senate race) topped the SWS survey as most preferred for "vice president" with Jinggoy Estrada ranked fifth, according to the Philippine Star.
- The Bohol Chronicle
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