MANILA - Pulse Asia Research Director Ana Maria Tabunda said Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao's popularity even in rural areas has helped him maintain his standing in pre-election surveys, unlike some candidates whose ratings have been fluctuating.

The latest ABS-CBN survey by Pulse Asia showed Pacquiao placing fourth.

Others included in the top 12 are Senator Vicente Sotto, Senate President Franklin Drilon, former senator Francis Pangilinan, former senator Panfilo Lacson, former senator Miguel Zubiri, Pacquiao, former PhilHealth Board Director Risa Hontiveros, Senator Serge Osmeña, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva, Senator Ralph Recto, former senator Richard Gordon and former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

However, the rankings of Hontiveros, Recto, De Lima and Gordon have been fluctuating.

According to Tabunda, the numbers often differ in urban and rural areas, except in the case of Pacquiao, who is popular even in far-flung places.

"Ang problem namin sa senatorial race, itong survey na ito, 4000 [respondents] na kahit itong mga rural areas na ang liit ng munisipyo, sila yung mas mababa yung shineshade nila kaya very volatile, akyat baba talaga 'yung senatorial candidates sa positions 9 to 12, very volatile.

"Compared to nung time na monthly [surveys lang] kami, 1,800 [respondents] lang,...ang laki ng diperensiya ng urban vote nila sa rural vote nila sa lahat ng kandidato, pwera kay Manny Pacquiao," she said.

"Numerically, mas mataas [ang suporta sa] urban kaysa rural, except Manny Pacquiao. Ibig sabihin, si Manny Pacquiao kilala kahit sa libliban, they know him. Mas malaki, pero may kandidato na malaki ang agwat na ang ranking nila sa urban much better than ranking sa rural dahil ultimately, kahit ano pa 'yung numerong 'yan, importante 12 ka," Tabunda added.