
Expressing the 33-point lead as “33%” understates the survey lead – Marcos’s lead is actually more than double Robredo’s support.

Claim: Marcos obtained a 33% lead in the April 16-21 Pulse Asia survey
Rating: FALSE
FACT-CHECK | Percentage points, not percent: Marcos lead in Pulse Asia survey is not 33%
Marcos spokesman Vic Rodriguez wrongly used a percentage in describing the lead of presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo in the latest Pulse Asia survey.
Marcos got 56% support in the April 16-21 survey, while Robredo obtained 23%. Rodriguez got the simple difference and titled his press statement “On the 33% lead in the latest Pulse Asia survey a week before elections.”
This is inaccurate. The difference between two percentages is expressed in terms of percentage points (see this guide). This is cumbersome but accurate. So in the latest Pulse survey, Marcos had a 33-percentage point or 33-point lead over Robredo.
Expressing the 33-point lead as “33%” understates the survey lead – Marcos’s lead is actually more than double Robredo’s support.
There is a lot of ground to cover in terms of survey literacy. But the most important one is to treat surveys as a guide and not necessarily an accurate or fool-proof predictor of election results.
Surveys are only a snapshot of people’s preferences over the period it was conducted, and a lot can still happen between now and election day.
PressOne.PH is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph
PressOne.PH has adopted Facebook’s ratings options for third-party fact checkers and is working toward accreditation with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).


FACT CHECK: YouTube channel falsely claims Marcos Sr. declared Filipinos as co-owners and co-beneficiaries of his wealth
The late dictator entrusted all of his properties only to his wife and his children.

FACT-CHECK: Video falsely claims PH so rich during Marcos regime no one slept on streets
In a TikTok video, a man talks about the country’s economy during the Marcos Sr. regime, repeating the “golden age” claim that had already been debunked by fact-checking sites.

FACT CHECK: Duterte makes wrong claim on how confi, intel funds were spent
Former president Rodrigo Duterte falsely claimed in his TV program on SMNI that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) did not spend P125 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF).