GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he is thankful for his improving survey numbers after the latest Pulse Asia survey showed him tied for the lead in the vice-presidential race.

In an interview, Marcos said the opinion polls validate the work that he does.

"Siyempre nakakatuwa pag number 1 ka. Nakakatuwa pag aakyat numero mo. Siguro parang validation na din para sa ating ginagawa... My numbers are moving in the right direction," he said.

The latest Pulse Asia survey, commissioned by ABS-CBN and conducted February 16 to 27, showed both Marcos and Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero getting 26% voter support.

In third place was Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo with 18%, followed by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, 13%; Gregorio Honasan II, 6%; and Antonio Trillanes IV, 5%.

According to Marcos, he has people who study his ratings.

"You know, mahirap kasi kung magre-react ka sa survey. Bawat survey babaguhin mo yung plano, bawat survey babaguhin mo yung kampanya mo, yung schedule. Eh pag ginawa mo yun, parang you're starting from zero each time. Kaya ako, ginawa namin yung plano naming magiikot, ipagpapatuloy namin yun," he explained.

"I think the surveys, ang aking nakukuha sa ganong klaseng mga resulta, ay tanggap na tanggap naman ang mensahe na pagkakaisa ng taumbayan. I think that is the reason why the numbers are improving, are regularly improving."

Meanwhile, Marcos welcomed the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing Senator Grace Poe to run for president.

"Ako, feeling ko, maganda yung maraming kandidato para ang botante maraming pagpipilian... Pwede talaga nilang pagpilian kung ano sa palagay nila ang pinakamagandang programa para sa kaunlaran ng Pilipinas. So it is a real choice. That, for me, is nasa advantage of the voting population ng Pilipinas," said Marcos. - Report from Chai Tabunaway, ABS-CBN News Socsksargen