As the campaign draws to a close, a political management expert pointed out that what people should watch out for is the number three position both in the presidential and vice presidential derbies.

“The movement from Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), they’re very strong if you look at the historical campaign of (former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada), he ends strong. (Estrada’s running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar) Binay is something that has not been profiled but at the rate he is shooting up that’s another big story there,” campaign strategist and general manager of political consulting firm Publicus Limited Co. Malou Tiquia said in a recent television interview.

Tiquia’s statement came even as Estrada and Binay both soared in the latest survey conducted by independent pollster Pulse Asia.

The latest survey by Pulse Asia, whose polling is regarded in Philippine politics as among the most reputable, interviewed 1,800 registered voters from April 23 to 25. It said the poll, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, was its final survey before the election.

Estrada’s voting preference picked up 2 percentage points, while Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar’s rating fell by 5 percentage points, giving them a score of 20 percentage points each.

As Estrada’s rating soared, so did that of Binay, who zoomed past erstwhile second placer Sen. Loren Legarda. Binay gained nine points to score 28 percent, while Legarda lost three points and  scored 20 percent.

According to Tiquia if Villar continues the meltdown, people will probably see a closer fight between the tailenders.

On the other hand, Tiquia characterized Liberal Party presidential candidate Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s behavior in the survey, where he posted 39 percent, as “kind of plateauing.”

“At 30’s, 35 to a high of 39. while Villar is a slide. So when you say Aquino is ahead, he is essentially ahead because the number two candidate is really sliding down,” Tiquia, an alumnus of the George Washington University, said.