SWS: Binay still on top despite percentage drop; Duterte, Poe tied for second

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Presidential candidate Jejomar "Jojo" Binay remains as the most preferred choice for the presidency, according to the latest pre-election survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The survey, which was conducted from February 5 to 7, revealed that 29 percent of registered Filipino voters with biometrics would elect Binay if the May elections were held at that time.

The nationwide survey has a ± 3 percent error margin.

Though Binay remains in the lead to win the May polls, the vice president dropped to 29 percent from 31 percent, his score in the January 8 to 10 survey.

Related: What is your presidential candidate's platform of government?

Binay's fellow presidential candidates Grace Poe and Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte are tied in second with 24 percent. Administration bet Manuel "Mar" Roxas II ranked third with 18 percent while Miriam Defensor-Santiago tallied four percent.

The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 validated voters.

“Kung ang eleksyon ay gaganapin ngayon, sino po ang malamang ninyong iboboto bilang PRESIDENTE, BISE-PRESIDENTE, at mga SENADOR, ng PILIPINAS? Narito ang listahan ng mga kandidato,” the survey asked.

[Translation: "If the elections were held now, who would you likely vote as PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, and SENATORS, of the PHILIPPINES? Here is the list of the candidates."]

'Solid support for Binay'

Binay's camp welcomed the results of the latest SWS survey.

Atty. Rico Quicho, Binay's campaign spokesperson, said on Monday (February 15) the results confirm that the support for Binay is solid.

Quicho also said the vice president will work even harder to convey his platform to Filipinos.

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Treasurer Gary Teves earlier told CNN Philippines that Binay wants to "emphasize on inclusive growth, and provide emphasis on health and education."

Related: Binay wants to continue higher economic growth

Duterte climbs four percent

Duterte only scored 20 percent in the previous survey, conducted January 8 to 10, but made a huge jump in the recent survey to tie Poe with 24 percent.

This despite facing three disqualification cases during the time the survey was conducted. All the cases were eventually dismissed by the Commission on Elections.

Duterte's spokesman Peter Laviña said their camp is hopeful they they would be able "to continue this upward trend and gain more supporters" as the campaign progresses.

"This is proof of the rising clamor for genuine change. Our country is mired in increasing drugs, crime, corruption and poverty," he added in a press statement.

Related: Duterte vows to fight crime, corruption

Escudero, Marcos tied in VP race

In the vice presidential derby, Sens. Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. are tied in first with 26 percent.

Rep. Leni Robredo is in third with 19 percent, while Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano came in fourth with 16 prcent. Sens. Gringo Honasan and Antonio Trillanes IV scored six and five percent, respectively.

All of the vice presidential candidates improved in the SWS survey, except for Escudero and Honasan.