Philippine poll shows Marcos Jr's lead widening in presidential race

The son and namesake of latePhilippinedictator FerdinandMarcosstrengthened hisleadover his closest rival ahead of thepresidentialelection in May, results of a newpollreleased on Sunday showed.

FerdinandMarcosJrgarnered a 44-pointleadoverPhilippineVice President Leni Robredo in the Jan. 19-24 survey by independentpollster Pulse Asia, an 11-point increase compared with the previouspollin early December.

A total of 2,400 respondents were asked to pick their first choice for president and vice president if the election were held during the survey period, with 60 per centexpressing preference forMarcos, while 16 per centchose Robredo.

In the Decemberpollwith the same sample size,Marcoswas on top with 53per centcompared to Robredo's 20 per cent.

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Manila city mayor Francisco Domagoso trailed, each getting 8 per cent, while Senator Panfilo Lacson took 4 per cent.

In thePhilippines, the president and vice president are elected separately.

Marcos' running mate, Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, remained the top choice for vice president, taking a 21-pointleadover her closest rival, Senate President Vicente Sotto.

The latest Pulse Asia survey was conducted before thePhilippines' Commission on Elections last week dismissed a series of complaints seeking to disqualifyMarcos, removing a major hurdle for him in the May 9 contest.

The complaint's petitioners have vowed to challenge the decision and can appeal to the Supreme Court.

The election body also rejected a complaint seeking the cancellation ofMarcos' certificate of candidacy.

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As frontrunner,Marcosappears poised to complete a remarkable rebranding of the family name 36 years after a "people power" uprising ended his father's autocratic rule.