COLLEGE students are defying national polling trends by throwing their support behind opposition and alternative senatorial candidates, many of whom trail far behind the administration and Duterte-aligned bets in major surveys.
In the final pre-election poll conducted by the Center for Students Initiatives (CSI) from April 11 to 25, former Senator Bam Aquino emerged as the top choice, securing support from 79.6 percent of college respondents.
Aquino, who champions educational reforms, was backed by eight in 10 students nationwide.
Labor leader and lawyer Luke Espiritu came in second with 70 percent voting preference. He gained popularity among students because of his strong debate performances and campaign against political dynasties.
Espiritu’s running mate, Leody De Guzman, ranked fifth with nearly 50 percent, despite placing poorly in mainstream surveys.
Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Aquino’s running mate in the “Kiko-Bam” tandem, secured third place with 69.75 percent, running on a platform on food security and agricultural investment.
Other top picks included peasant leader Danilo Ramos (6th), Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas (7th), and former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza (8th). Makabayan bets Teddy Casiño and France Castro also made the top 12.
Meanwhile, only three candidates from the administration-aligned Alyansa slate cracked the student top 12: Makati Mayor Abby Binay (4th), ex-Senator Ping Lacson (9th), and Benhur Abalos (10th).
Surprisingly, top national survey leaders Senator Bong Go and Rep. Erwin Tulfo failed to break into the student top 12, ranking 15th and 16th, respectively.
Senator Bato dela Rosa ranked 20th, while Senator Imee Marcos, who recently aligned with the Dutertes, ranked a distant 31st.
The CSI poll surveyed 2,000 students from 32 universities. Most respondents came from low to middle-income families, providing insight into a youth electorate leaning toward change.