Sen. Manuel Villar maintained the no. 1 position in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey as the most likely to succeed President Arroyo in 2010 if ever the election pushes through.

1,500 respondents from various parts of the country were asked with this proposition: “Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang Konstitusyon, ang termino ni Pangulong Arroyo ay hanggang sa taong 2010 lamang at magkakaroon ng halalalan para sa pagka-pangulo sa Mayo 2010. Sinu-sino sa palagay ninyo ang mga magagaling na lider na dapat pumalit kay Pangulong Arroyo bilang Presidente?”

Each respondent were allowed to name up to 3 people and here are the results:

1. Sen. Manny Villar – 33%
2. Former President Joseph Estrada – 25%
3. Sen. Francis Escudero – 20%
3. Sen. Mar Roxas – 20%
4. Vice President Noli de Castro – 19%
5. Sen. Loren Legarda – 15%
6. Sen. Panfilo Lacson – 7%
7. Mayor Jejomar Binay – 4%
8. Bro. Eddie Villanueva – 1%
8. Richard Gordon – 1%
8. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando – 1%
8. President Gloria Arroyo – 1%
8. Sen. Francis Pangilinan – 1%
8. Gilbert Teodoro – 1%
8. Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th – 1%
8. Ed Panlilio – 1%
8. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago – 1%

If you are one of the respondents and have the privilege to name the three people you think are best to succeed President Arroyo, who will you pick? (Mine’s 1. Villar, 2. Gordon & 3. Villanueva < -- in that order) VIDEO LINK: Manny Villar’s Commercial