Pulse: Pacquiao poll ratings drop after comments vs same-sex marriage

In this Oct. 12, 2015, file photo, Manny Pacquiao takes questions at the Asia Society in New York. Boxing star Pacquiao has created a firestorm in his home country after saying people in same-sex relationships “are worse than animals.” Pacquiao, who is running for a Philippine Senate seat, made the remark in a video posted Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, on local TV5’s election site. He also said animals are better than people in same-sex relationships because they recognize the difference between males and females. AP/Seth Wenig, File

MANILA, Philippines — Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao's ranking dropped from 11th to 14th place in the latest Pulse Asia senatorial survey released on Friday.

Pacquiao scored 34.8 percent in the February survey after drawing flak for taking a stand against same-sex marriage.

The lawmaker is also facing a possible violation of election rules due to his upcoming boxing match with American Timothy Bradley in April.

READ: Manny Pacquiao on same sex marriage comment: I'm telling the truth | Nike drops Pacquiao after anti-gay comments

Pulse Asia reported that 14 out of 56 senatorial aspirants have a statistical chance of winning the Senate race.

Sen. Tito Sotto maintained his lead with 63.6 percent followed by former Sen. Panfilo Lacson who scored 60.2 percent.

Occupying the third spot was former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan with 54.1 percent, followed by Sen. Ralph Recto and Sen. Frank Drilon with 53.4 percent and 52.4 percent, respectively.

Former Sen. Miguel Zubiri took the sixth spot with 48.5 percent while former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima scored 45.3 percent.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña obtained 43.7 percent followed by Philippine Red Cross Chair Richard Gordon with 42.6 percent and Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian with 41.2 percent.

Completing the 10th to 13th spots are TESDA Director-General Joel Villanueva (39.1 percent), Sen. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III (36.7 percent) and PhilHealth Director Risa Hontiveros (36.2 percent).

Sen. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay shared the lead in the presidential survey. Sens. Chiz Escudero and Bongbong Marcos were also statistically tied in the vice presidential polls.

The survey was conducted from February 15 to 20 using face-to-face interviews.

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