Escudero, Villanueva top survey on senatorial bets

MANILA, Philippines — Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero and Sen. Joel Villanueva have topped the latest senatorial survey conducted by data analytics firm WR Numero Research.

Escudero obtained 64.6 percent in the poll conducted from Jan. 11 to 16.

Villanueva came in second with 56.6 percent, followed by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Juan Miguel Zubiri, who ranked third and fourth with 55.4 percent and 55.1 percent, respectively.

Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez remained in fifth spot with 50.6 percent, followed by former speaker and Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano with 49.3 percent, and Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto with 47.8 percent.

Cardiologist Willie Ong occupied the eighth spot with 45.9 percent, followed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros with 44.8 percent, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, 43 percent, Anak-Kalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor, 42.7 percent, and Deputy Speaker and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, 40 percent.

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and Sen. Richard Gordon were tied for 13th, obtaining 36.1 percent each, followed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan with 36 percent.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar ranked 16th in the survey with 34.9 percent.

The mobile app-based survey has a nearly 400,000 unique user base, according to WR Numero Research, “where a quota sampling method based on geographic location, age, sex and income is used to attain a proportional representation of the voting public for the January 2021 senatorial preference poll.”

WR Numero Research uses technology and data analytics to gauge social climate and provide insights into political and social sentiments, attitudes and political opinion.