MANILA mayoral candidate Alex Lopez of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas led the latest surveys conducted by two independent polling stations.

In the Far Eastern Research study conducted from April 7 to 14, Lopez was the preferred candidate of 20,064 individuals or 65.63 percent of the 30,571 who responded to the online survey.

Manila Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan came in second with 18.83 percent. She was followed by Amado Bagatsing, 15.33 percent; Elmer Jamias, 0.11 percent; and Cristy Lim, 0.11 percent.

A separate survey conducted by Original Matang Manila for Charity Media (OMMCM) from April 9 to 19 also showed Lopez leading with 56 percent of the 20,000 respondents choosing him as the next Manila mayor.

Lacuna-Pangan garnered 32 percent; Bagatsing, 7 percent; Lim, 4 percent; and Jamias, 1 percent.

OMMCM is a volunteer group based in the city of Manila.

In a statement, Lopez said the surveys indicate that Manilenyos are yearning for a “new leader” to take over the Manila city government.

“Surveys are important to gauge how effective candidates are in their campaigns prior to the elections,” the eldest son of former Manila mayor Mel Lopez said. “The outcome of the surveys serve as proof that my campaign is effective and that I am reaching areas the current Manila city administration has never visited.”