If presidential elections were held at this time, administration ally Noli de Castro will win, hands down.

This is the latest finding of Pulse Asia, an independent pollster, in its Feb. 21-March 8, 2008 nationwide survey.

Vice President de Castro got 21.5 percent, followed by opposition senators Loren Legarda (17.5), Francis “Chiz” Escudero (13),  Manuel “Mar” Roxas (10.5), Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (9.9), and Manuel Villar (9.3).

Other opposition figures who were included are: Senators Jinggoy Estrada (3.3) and Antonio Trillanes (3.0), and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay (1.2).

Administration allies who figured in the survey were at the bottom of the list: MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando (1.4), Senator Dick Gordon (0.7), Mayor Sonny Belmonte (0.3), and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (0.3).

Survey respondents, who reached a total of 1,200, were asked the question, “If elections were held today, who would you vote for?”

A source privy to the survey told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak that de Castro is the “only administration bet who is doing well.” The source said that the survey’s message to presidential aspirants is: “the opposition better join forces.”

If opposition candidates don’t unite, the source explained, and de Castro is endorsed by the administration, he will most likely get President Arroyo’s 20 percent following.

Pulse Asia did not release this survey to the public because “it’s too early” although it may be helpful to potential presidential candidates. “It tells them enough,” the source said.- Marites Danguilan Vitug