Actor loses lead as Philippine ruling looms-poll
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-03 14:00

The Philippine presidential poll has become a two-horse race as doubts over actor Fernando Poe Jr's candidacy drag down his ratings and boost incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, according to a survey out on Wednesday.

The survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) means both of the country's main polling firms now see the May 10 election as a virtual tie between Arroyo and Poe, who is awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he is Filipino and thus eligible to run.

The previous SWS survey taken at the beginning of February had shown Poe with a commanding lead over Arroyo, scoring a rating of 37 percent compared to the president's 28.7 percent.

In its latest poll, conducted two weeks later, Poe had fallen back to second spot on 30.5 percent, trailing Arroyo's 31.8 percent.

Mahar Mangahis, president of the independent polling firm, said the result was a statistical tie.

"As of now, it's even," he said on television.

"Definitely we can see that the disqualification issue makes the difference," he said about the fall in Poe's rating. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling as early as Wednesday evening on whether Poe, who is basing his presidential shot on his movie roles as a hero of the oppressed, can stand in the elections.

The survey showed little change in the fortunes of the other four candidates.

Former education secretary Raul Roco was in third spot with 17.9 percent, ahead of former police chief Panfilo Lacson on 11.4 percent. Evangelist preacher Eddie Villanueva got 1.8 percent, leaving businessman Eddie Gil with a minuscule 0.03 percent.

In the vice-presidential race, Senator Noli de Castro stretched his big lead over fellow former broadcaster Loren Legarda with a rating of 57 percent from Legarda's 29 percent.

De Castro is Arroyo's running mate while Legarda is running with Poe, although the vice-presidential election is conducted separately from the presidential race.