Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has widened the lead over her closest rival Fernando Poe Jr. in the May 10 election by a significant 10.5 percent, according to a latest survey.

The nationwide survey, conducted by a private polling firm on April 20-22, showed voter preference for Arroyo soared to 36.9 percent over Poe's 26.4 percent, the Manila Standard daily reported Monday.

The NFO Trends, is the same group that conducts the interviews for surveys designed by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations.

The front-runners were trailed by Senator Lacson, 13.2; former Education Secretary Raul Roco, 8.9; and evangelist Eddie Villanueva, 5.2, the paper said.

In the vice-presidential race, the survey showed Senator Noli de Castro pulling away with 12.1 percent over Loren Legarda (47.6 versus 35.5); Alyansa ng Pag-Asa (alliance of hope) vice-presidential bet Herminio Aquino was a distant third with 3.6.

Distribution of voter preferences was according to economic class, gender, age, area and locale, and many people (12.9 percent)were undecided or had no answer, the survey said.

The survey conducted on a total of 1,200 interviewees covered only the presidential and vice-presidential positions.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos said Monday all logistical preparations have been set for the May 10 elections, in which more than 40 million Filipinos will choose their president, vice president, senators, congressmen and more than 17,000 local positions from governors to village councilors.

Source: Xinhua