Philippine election frontrunner Marcos Jr sees lead trimmed in poll

FILE PHOTO: Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, gestures as he speaks during a campaign rally in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 14, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr has retained a clear lead in a survey ahead of the May 9 election, though his lead has narrowed after Vice President Leni Robredo picked up support, an opinion poll showed on Wednesday.

Backing for Marcos, the son and namesake of the country's late dictator, dropped slightly to 56%, compared with 60% in the previous Pulse Asia surveys in January and February, while Robredo's support grew to 24% from 15% the month before.