UNITEAM senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista on Tuesday thanked his supporters after a new survey showed him moving up by 5 percentage points to rank 10th in the so-called “Magic 12”, or candidates who have statistical chances of winning in the senatorial elections.

“I see people believing in my dreams for the country, and I am more than grateful to them,” Bautista said in reaction to the latest survey of Publicus Asia, an independent polling firm, which showed him to be 10th in the senatorial race.

The survey was conducted from April 19 to 21, or around two weeks before the elections on May 9, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2%.

Bautista’s rise in the ranking was consistent with previous surveys – two by Pulse Asia and an earlier one by Publicus – that showed Bautista staying strong in the top 12 choices for senator.

“It’s a humbling experience to know my efforts are bearing fruit, but the credit should go to my supporters and people who believe in my dreams for the country,” said Bautista in reaction to the latest Publicus survey.

Bautista earlier called on his supporters to double efforts to convert his strong ranking in surveys, showing him to be in the winning circle, into votes as the elections draw nearer.

“As everyone says, the real survey would be May 9, election day,” said Bautista, who is running on a platform of “Internet reform, Livelihood for all and Youth development”, or ILY, and “Pagkain para sa Pamilyang Pilipino”.

Bautista, a three-term mayor of Quezon City, retained his survey ranking in previous polling by Publicus Asia, an independent survey firm with ties to a US-based data firm.

Results of the previous survey done by Publicus showed that Bautista was 12th in the tally of candidates considered to have a statistical chance of winning.

The results showed Bautista edging other familiar names in the Senate race, like former senator Jinggoy Estrada.

In an introduction to the survey results, Publicus said the survey sample was 1,625 respondents who are all registered voters.

“Parameters based on respondent age and gender were utilized in the sample formulation in order for the resulting sample to conform more closely to the features of the voting population,” Publicus said.

The results were consistent with previous polling by Pulse Asia, where Bautista also landed in the Magic 12.

“I have my supporters and people who believe in me to thank,” said Bautista, a three-term mayor of Quezon City.

“This only inspires me to work harder and reach our goal of serving our people from the hallowed halls of the Senate,” he added.

Bautista stayed solid in two surveys conducted by Pulse Asia. The results of the most recent face-to-face survey by Pulse, which was held March 11 to 17, showed Bautista in the 11th to 12th position.

An earlier survey by Pulse Asia showed Bautista breaking into the winning circle.

He said the survey results delivered the message that he should continue to work harder in reaching his goal of landing a Senate seat to play a vital role in helping uplift more people from poverty.

Bautista had said the survey results were a pleasant surprise. “But I thank our fellow Filipinos who were reached by the survey and placed me to be part of the top 12.”

He said prayers plus a combination of hard work and patience might work wonders for his campaign. He said he wanted to convert his high ranking in the survey into votes.

Bautista also attributed part of his success in barging into the winning circle in the senatorial race to his being part of the UniTeam senatorial ticket.

“Add that to my track record of 30 years in government service in Quezon City and the experience that I can offer in serving our people nationwide,” he said.