MANILA, Philippines - The trust ratings of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and running mate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II have surged in the homestretch of the campaign for the May 10 polls, according to a recent survey by independent pollster Pulse Asia Inc.

Results of the survey conducted from March 21 to 28 among 3,000 respondents showed Aquino leading the pack of presidential candidates in terms of trust rating by voters, with 69 percent saying they have “big trust” in the LP presidential bet.

Aquino’s rating was up five points from 64 percent in the February survey.

Only nine percent said they have “small/no trust” in Aquino, a significant drop of five points from 14 percent last February.

Meanwhile, 74 percent said they had “big trust” in Roxas, or a four-point increase from 70 percent.

This makes Roxas still the most trusted public official and candidate in the upcoming elections, Pulse Asia said.

The Aquino-Roxas tandem has consistently led surveys on voter preference for the May 10 polls as early as September last year. In comparison, their rivals in the May 10 national elections had lower trust rating from Filipino voters.

Only 61 percent of voters have “big trust” in Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., a clear indication that his camp failed to besmirch the positive campaign of Aquino, according to LP director general Chito Gascon.

Former President Joseph Estrada placed third with 48 percent, followed by former Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. with 36 percent, Sen. Richard Gordon with 29 percent, evangelist Eddie Villanueva with 22 percent and Sen. Jamby Madrigal with 21 percent. Environmentalist Nicanor Perlas and Olongapo Councilor JC de los Reyes each got nine percent.

Among Roxas’ rivals in the vice-presidential race, Sen. Loren Legarda registered a trust rating of only 59 percent. Those who said they had “small/no trust” for Legarda was 12 percent.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay got 58 percent trust rating, while former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando had 24 percent; television host/actor Edu Manzano, 23 percent; broadcaster Jay Sonza, 13 percent; and former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay, 11 percent. Dominador Chipeco Jr. got nine percent.

Aquino said he is thankful for the people’s trust in him and that the latest survey shows that the public can distinguish between black propaganda being thrown at him from the real issues.