Marcos Jr. leads presidential race but voter preference dips

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. maintained his lead in the presidential race with 56% voter preference in a March Pulse Asia survey, though his rating decreased by 4 percentage points from February.

His support saw a slight decline in Class D, but he remains the top choice across all regions and socioeconomic classes C, D, and E.

Vice President Leni Robredo significantly improved her standing, with her voter preference rising by nine points to 24%.

Robredo's surge was driven by substantial gains in Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as increases among socioeconomic classes C, D, and E.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno garnered 8% voter preference, followed by Senator Manny Pacquiao at 6%, and Senator Panfilo Lacson at 2%.

The Pulse Asia survey, which included 2,400 respondents, was conducted from March 17 to 21, after the first presidential debate which Marcos Jr. did not attend.