MANILA - Opposition politicians would dominate the senatorial elections if the polls were held last October 2009.

Eleven opposition politicians, or persons supporting opposition presidential bets, were in the top 15 preferences of 1,800 respondents who were asked by Pulse Asia last October 22-30 about their senatorial preferences.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada topped the survey with nearly one out of every two respondents choosing him as one of 12 senators.

"Currently leading the senatorial race is Senator Jinggoy Estrada, whose overall voter preference of 46.7% translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 2nd places," Pulse Asia said.

The other opposition politicians in the top 15 are:

former Senator Frank Drilon (38.6%)
Sen. Pia Cayetano (37.2%)
Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay (36.6%)
Sen. Manuel Roxas (36.3%)
Sen. Jamby Madrigal (31.6%)

Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel (31.4%)
former Sen. Ralph Recto (30.6%)
former Sen. Sergio 'Serge' Osmeña (28.5%)
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (26.6%).

Another figure in the top 15 is Willie Revillame, host of ABS-CBN's noontime show Wowowee with 27.4%. Revillame has announced that he will not be running in the 2010 elections, but he is supporting Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar.

The four pro-administration politicians in the top 15 were:

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (42.4%)
Sen. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. (36.6%)
Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III (28.2%)
Actor-TV host Edu Manzano (24%).

Manzano decided last Friday that he will no longer run for the Senate after agreeing to be the running mate of ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro.

Roxas and Binay are also running for the vice-presidential post.

"Senator Estrada is followed closely by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (42.4%) who is ranked 1st to 3rd. In 2nd to 7th places is former Senate President Franklin Drilon (38.6%) while 3rd to 7th places are shared by Senator Pia S. Cayetano (37.2%), Senator Revilla (36.6%), Makati City Mayor Binay (36.6%), and Senator Roxas (36.3%)," Pulse Asia said.

"Senator Jamby A.S. Madrigal (31.6%) and Atty. Aquilino L. Pimentel (31.4%) are in 8th to 13th places while three former senators are presently ranked 8th to 14th--former National Economic and Development (NEDA) director-general Ralph Recto (30.6%), former Senator Sergio Osmeña III (28.5%), and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairperson Vicente C. Sotto III (28.2%)," Pulse Asia added.

"Completing the list of probable winners are Mr. Willie Revillame (27.4%) who ranks 8th to 15th and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (26.6%) who is in 10th to 15th places," the polling firm said.

Meanwhile, Pulse Asia found 40% of Filipinos reported having a "complete senatorial list," down from 57% in August 2009.

Pulse Asia said this indicates that the "level of public interest in the senatorial race appears to have declined between August and October 2009," with more media attention devoted to the top two posts.

Pulse Asia said Filipinos would have chosen only 8 or 9 names for senators if polls were held last October.

The survey was conducted October 22 to 30 using face-to-face interview with 1,800 respondents. It has a margin of error of plus/minus 2%.