MANILA (3rd UPDATE)—Women will top the senatorial elections if the polls were held this month, showed a Pulse Asia survey released Saturday, just weeks before aspirants are expected to file certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm polls.

Senator Grace Poe emerged as the top senatorial bet out of 1,800 registered voters surveyed from across the country, commanding a 70.1 percent voter preference.

She was followed by Senator Cynthia Villar, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Senator Nancy Binay, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Incumbent and former senators landed in the 6th to 12th spots in the survey, while television personalities secured the 13th to 17th places.

The top candidates based on the survey are as follows:
1. Grace Poe 70.1
2. Cynthia Villar 57.7
3. Pia Cayetano 54.4
4. Nancy Binay 50.6
5. Sara Duterte-Carpio 39.5
6. Sonny Angara 37.1
7. Jinggoy Estrada 34.6
8. Imee Marcos 32.6
9. Koko Pimentel 32.4
10. Lito Lapid 32.2
11. Serge Osmeña 29.8
12. Mar Roxas 27.7
13. Robin Padilla 27.4
14. Bong Revilla 27.4
15. Mon Tulfo 27.0
16. Ronald Dela Rosa 27.0
17. JV Ejercito 26.7

The list represents individuals who "would have a statistical chance of winning" the senatorial elections, Pulse Asia said.

They led in a roster of 66 probable candidates for the May 2019 senatorial elections, based on the survey held from September 1 and 7.

Incumbent Senator Bam Aquino was bumped off the list of front runners as he dropped to the 18th to 23rd bracket, 5 spots below his top 13 finish in Pulse Asia's July survey.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, both said to be eyeing Senate seats, ranked between the 24th and 35th places, along with House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Sen. JV Ejercito and Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa did not make it to the top 12 in this month's senatorial polls, with Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and former presidential bet Mar Roxas taking up their spots.

Here are the top 12 candidates in the June senatorial survey:

JUNE 2018 MAGIC 12:

1	Grace Poe	67.4
2	Pia Cayetano	55.7
3	Cynthia Villar	50.1
4	Sara Duterte Carpio	46.2
5	Edgardo "Sonny" Angara Jr.	41.9
6	Jinggoy Estrada	37.9
7	Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa	37.7
8	Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III	37.7
9	Nancy Binay	37.1
10	Serge Osmeña	36.6
11	Lito Lapid	36.2
12	JV Ejercito	35.6

Out of those surveyed, 3.6 percent "do not support any of the probable senatorial bets included in this survey probe, refuse to name their preferred senatorial candidates, or still do not know whom they will vote for" in next year's polls, Pulse Asia said.

The survey has a ± 2 percent error margin.

Poe, in a statement, said that although she is "humbled and grateful for the continued support" of the public, there are more important numbers to focus on.

"It is uplifting that women are being recognized as effective, decisive and compassionate leaders," she said.

"However, the more important numbers which should concern us today are inflation, prices of goods, employment, fuel prices, and the damage caused by Ompong. Let us focus on clear and present challenges."