Son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos holds big lead in poll for President’s post

<p>
The son and namesake of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos has maintained a strong lead in the Philippines' presidential election race, according to a Reuters report from Manila that cited an opinion poll published on Monday.</p>
<p>
If Marcos wins, it will be a remarkable political triumph for the family after his father's ouster in the 1986 People Power revolution following two decades in power.</p>
<p>
The Feb 18-23 survey by independent pollster Pulse Asia showed Marcos cornering 60% of support from 2,400 respondents, unchanged from January, with his closest rival Leni Robredo, the incumbent vice president, sliding from 16% to 15%.</p>
<p>
Earlier the Commission on Elections had dismissed petitions to disqualify Marcos from the presidential contest.</p>
<p>
The other main presidential contenders for the May 9 elections- Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso, boxing great Manny Pacquiao and Senator Panfilo Lacson – received 10%, 8% and 2%, respectively.</p>
<p>
Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, remained the top choice for vice president, with a 29-point lead over her closest rival, Senate speaker Vicente Sotto.</p>
<p>
Duterte-Carpio is the running mate of Marcos. In the Philippines, the vice president is elected separately to the president.</p>
<p>
More than 67 million Filipinos, including 1.7 million overseas, have registered to vote in the elections.</p>
<p>
The May 9 elections will test the Filipinos' appetite for change as well as the continuing influence of two of the political dynasties that have dominated the Southeast Asian nation's politics in the past half century.</p>
<p>
Official campaigning kicked off on Feb. 8.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/five-indian-students-die-in-highway-accident-in-canada-156926.html">Five Indian students die in highway accident in Canada</a></strong></p>