MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionists Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Miriam Defensor Santiago continued to lead voters' preferences for next year's senatorial election, according to the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey released Monday.

The nationwide survey, conducted from December 8-10, showed that familiar names have an edge over other, lesser known candidates, particularly in the tightly contested senatorial election. Voters will elect 12 senators in the May 2010 polls.

Topping the list of probable winners is Sen. Jinggoy Estrada whose overall voter preference of 55.1% translates to a statistical ranking of 1st to 3rd places.

Another shoo-in for the Senate is Sen. Bong Revilla with 52.7%, followed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (51.4%), former Senate president Franklin Drilon (48.4%) and Sen. Pia Cayetano (43.1%).

Former senator Ralph Recto also did well in the latest survey with 43.1%, followed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (42.7%) and former senators Sergio Osmena and Vicente "Tito" Sotto (both with 40.2%).

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (31%) and Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto TG Guingona III (28.6%) are tied for the 10th to 11th positions. Marcos, son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, earlier said he is aiming to follow his father's footsteps and become president of the Philippines someday.

Rounding out the list of probably winners are businessman Jose “Joey” De Venecia III (24.3%), Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid (23.1%), and Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon (22.9%), who are tied for 12th to 14th places. Lapid is the only re-electionist who did not make it to the top 10 of preferred candidates for senator next year.

2010 Elections: Senatorial Preferences

1-3. Estrada, Jinggoy (55.1%)
1-4. Revilla, Ramon "Kap/Bong" Jr. (52.7%)
1-4. Defensor-Santiago, Miriam (51.4%)
2-4. Drilon, Franklin (48.4%)
5-9. Cayetano, Pia (43.1%)
5-9. Recto, Ralph (43.1%)
5-9. Enrile, Juan Ponce (42.7%)
5-9. Osmeña, Sergio (40.2%)
5-9. Sotto, Vicente "Tito" III (40.2%)
10-11. Marcos, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Jr. (31%)
10-11. Guingona, Teofisto "TG" III (28.5%)
12-14. De Venecia, ose "Joey" III (24.3%)
12-14. Lapid, Manuel "Lito" (23.1%)
12-14. Biazon, Rozanno Rufino "Ruffy" (22.9%)

Pulse Asia said Filipinos are still making up their minds on who to vote for less than five months before the May 2010 elections. It said 57% of Filipinos had a complete senatorial line-up of 12 candidates as of August this year. This percentage declined to 40% last October and now stands at 31%.

The survey had a multistage probability sample of 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2% error margin at the 95% confidence level.

The Commission on Elections earlier approved the candidacies of 58 out of 158 senatorial bets.