Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago questioned Sunday the results of poll surveys done in more or less the same period last month by three different survey firms which showed three different candidates leading the pack.

Asked why the three polling organizations have different results, Santiago said that the only acceptable explanation could be the way the questions were phrased by these firms.

She said Pulse Asia, one of the three survey firms, showed that reelectionist Sen. Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr. getting 51.9 percent while Senate President Pro Tempore Jose ‘’Jinggoy’’ Estrada having 50.4 percent constituting a statistical tie. The survey was done during the Jan. 22-26, 2010 period.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted during the Jan. 21-24 period had Revilla topping it with 58 percent.

The StratPOLLS survey done from Jan. 16 to Jan. 22 was topped by Santiago with 64 percent.

If the poll watchdogs are not vigilant enough, the survey firms could already start so-called ‘’trending,’’ meaning using the surveys to follow a certain trend for a certain favored candidate, Santiago said.

She appealed to media to report alleged survey results ‘’in perspective,’’ meaning to note the period covered and events that took place within that period.

‘’If no significant events occurred concerning a certain candidate, but that candidate rises or falls in the polls, then it would appear that there is no basis for the results announced,’’ she explained.

The first 10 in the senatorial survey by Pulse Asia showed Revilla and Estrada statistically tied. They were followed by Pilar Juliana ‘’Pia’’ S. Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Santiago, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Ralph Recto, Sergio Osmeña III, Vicente ‘’Tito’’ Sotto and Manuel ‘’Lito’’ Lapid.

The ranking of the latest SWS survey showed Revilla leading, followed by Cayetano, Estrada, Santiago, Drilon, Enrile, Sotto, Recto, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Osmeña.

The ranking of the latest StartPOLLS survey showed Santiago leading. She was followed by Cayetano, Marcos, Drilon, Estrada, Revilla, Enrile, Rufino Biazon, Recto and Jose de Venecia III.