SENATOR Leila de Lima was among the preferred senatorial candidates of students, mock polls conducted by several schools and universities in the country revealed.

De Lima, who is seeking reelection under the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket, thanked the youth for standing by her.

“I am grateful to the Filipino youth for their support for my reelection bid through their responses in recent school/university-led senatorial surveys. Sa kabila ng mga fake news at walang tigil na kasinungalingan laban sa akin, nananatili silang mulat sa katotohanan at kasamang lumalaban para sa hustisya at mabuting pamamahala,” she said.

In different school surveys, De Lima landed on the Magic 12.

She was part of the Top 5 senatorial bets in the mock elections conducted this year by the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa, University of the Philippines Diliman and UP Mindanao, Philippine Normal University System, Xavier School and Rizal Technological University.

She also made it to the Top 5 in the mock polls conducted by the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, West Visayas State University-Main Campus, four campuses of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Far Eastern University High School, Ateneo de Iloilo Senior High School, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Manila and University of Nueva Caceres.

She was also among the preferred picks for senator of students from Cebu Normal University, Cagayan State University – Andrews Campus, Divine Word College of Calapan, National Teachers College and Mindanao State University.

The senator said she is optimistic that more idealistic and energetic young people will enlighten and encourage people to vote for competent leaders in the upcoming polls.

“Our youth can make a difference by influencing more Filipinos to elect candidates who are patriotic, capable, and independent-minded, yung ipaglalaban ang Pilipinas at Pilipino,” she said.

“Ang panawagan nga po natin sa kabataan: Sa darating na Mayo, sa pinaka-kritikal na eleksyon sa ating bansa, piliin natin ang magbabalik ng hustisya, mabuting pamamahala, katotohanan at demokrasya. Sa social media man, tahanan, paaralan o kalsada, masigasig ninyong labanan ang fake news. Piliin natin ang tumitindig para sa kabataan at para sa bayan,” De Lima added.