THE March survey conducted by Pulse Asia, released last week, showing former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. maintaining a wide double-digit margin of 32 percent over his closest rival Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo has practically become a sorting hat, dividing the pragmatic from the blindly hopeful and the idolatrous. It has also become a clear indicator of political bias from many in academe and in mainstream media.

The facts were clear. Marcos Jr. kept his wide margin despite shedding 4 percent, maintaining his significant lead in all geographical regions and socio-economic classes, and despite a 9-percent increase in the preference ratings of Robredo. While this led to a net decline of 4 percent in the margin between them, such was still significantly beyond the margin of error.