By NITZ ARANCON, Correspondent SEN.Grace Poe’s recent Pulse Asia survey performance is an indication that Filipino voters have leveled up, and are now making integrity and character as bases in their choice of a leader. Lawyer Rey Raagas, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, said this even as he welcomed the results of the May-June Pulse Asia survey that showed Poe dislodging Vice President Jejomar Binay. Binay has been the survey topnotcher until the release of the results of the Pulse Asia survey that showed his ratings plunging from 29 percentage points to 22 while Poe’s ratings soared to 30 percentage points.Binay, who has repe atedly declared that he would run for President in 2016, was perceived by many as a sure winner until Poe’s entry in the surveys.Poe, who has yet to announce a decision on whether or not she would seek higher office next year, also topped the Pulse Asia survey for potential vice presidential candidates. Raagas said the May-June survey results was a “good development,” explaining that “the Filipino electorate is slowly but surely realizing that integrity and character are the most important traits to look for in a candidate.” Binay and his family has been linked to a web of corruption issues, mostly involving deals in Makati City, the political bailiwick of the vice president.Raagas opined that of today’s “presidentiables,” only Poe or Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II could pass the character and integrity test. “If we based it on character and Integrity, then either Poe or Roxas could make a good President,” he said.Former vice mayor Antonio Soriano called Poe’s entry and survey feat as a “blessing for this country.” “Lisod na kaayo nga si Binay ato ma-presidente. Grabe na kaayo ang political dynasty kon mahitabo na ugaling,” Soriano said.He called on citizens to be on guard, and avoid “trapos” (traditional politicians).The surge in Poe’s ratings and the dramatic drop in Binay’s ratings was expected, said Councilor Teodulfo Lao. Lao said Binay’s camp blundered when it started raising wrong issues against Poe after she rejected an offer for her to become Binay’s running mate. Instead of weakening Poe, the issues made the senator an underdog, and people sympathized with her.Lao said the senator was also drawing strength from the popularity of Fernando Poe Jr., the late Philippine movie icon turned politician, who adopted her.“ Some people still remember FPJ, and it adds to the popularity of Sen. Poe,” he said.Lawyer James Judith, a city hall consultant, said it was apparent that Poe has long dislodged Binay. “Why only now when it was apparent all along the Poe has been leading?” said Judith. “It doesn’t surprise me then that some would suspect that... surveys are, more or less, reflective of the people’s sentiments coincidentally now that Binay no longer has the massive funds what with his questionable assets frozen.” Judith said surveys cannot be relied on because “it depends on who commissioned it, and the politics of people who conduct the surveys.”