Philippine senator Grace Poe widens lead in presidential opinion polls

A novice senator who is the adopted daughter of a late popular movie action hero has increased her lead as the favourite to win the presidency of the Philippines at elections next year, an opinion poll showed on Monday.

Grace Poe, 47, who formally declared her candidacy last week for the elections in May 2016, was the top-rated candidate among 47 per cent of correspondents, up by five points, the latest Social Weather Stations poll showed.

The elections will be closely watched by investors, who fear the political succession in one of Asia’s fastest growing economies could derail gains made during President Benigno Aquino’s rule.

Under Aquino, the Philippines has seen economic growth of more than 6 percent on average, its best 5-year record in four decades. He has also battled to rein in corruption.

About 54 million Filipinos will be eligible to vote to choose a president, vice president and more than 18,000 local government executives and lawmakers in the general elections, which happen every six years.

The third-quarter poll, published by the Businessworld newspaper, showed that Manuel Roxas, a former interior minister under Aquino, had jumped 18 points to surge into second place with 39 per cent approval.