MANILA, Philippines – Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo “Ping” Lacson emerged as the top senatorial bets for the 2016 national elections in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Twelve more individuals have a statistical chance of winning, according to the survey conducted from November 14 to 20, 2014 and released on Tuesday, December 9.

Sotto was the preferred senatorial bet of 54.7% of respondents. He also topped the Pulse Asia survey in September.

Lacson clinched the second spot, after 52.9% respondents said they would vote for him. In the September survey, he placed 5th.

Sotto and Lacson shared the statistical 1st to 3rd rank. Sotto is eligible for a second term as senator, while Lacson last served as senator in 2013.

The rest

Rounding up the top 6 are:

• Francis Pangilinan – 49.2%
• Juan Miguel Zubiri – 45.5%
• Ralph Recto – 45.1%
• Franklin Drilon – 44.9%

Incumbent senators Recto and Drilon are likewise eligible for reelection.

Pangilinan is the current Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization. Like Lacson, Pangilinan’s term as senator ended in 2013.

Former senator Zubiri served until 2011, when he resigned over allegations that he benefitted from electoral fraud carried out by his party in the 2007 polls. He ran again for senator in 2013, but only placed 14th.

Completing the Magic 12 are:

• Richard Gordon – 42.9%
• Ferdinand Marcos Jr – 40.5%
• Sergio Osmeña III – 37.8%
• Risa Hontiveros – 35.4%
• Jamby Madrigal – 34.9%
• Leila de Lima – 33.8%

Fighting chances

Considering the 3-point error margin, Senator Teofisto Guingona III (31.8%) and Taguig City Representative Lino Cayetano (31.3%) also have a fighting chance of joining the Magic 12.

Incumbent senators Marcos, Guingona, and Osmeña are allowed to seek a second term in 2016.

Former senators Gordon and Madrigal both ran in the 2013 senatorial polls, but placed 13th and 20th, respectively.

Former Akbayan Representative Hontiveros also ran for senator in 2013, but did not make the cut, placing only 17th.

A total of 59 individuals were named in the senatorial preference survey.

The November survey also said that Filipinos have named an average of 10 senatorial bets. Meanwhile, 64% of respondents said that they already have a complete 12-person senatorial slate for the 2016 polls. – Rappler.com