Vice President Sara Duterte, Senator Raffy Tulfo, and former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo remain the three leading potential contenders in the 2028 presidential race, according to a new WR Numero survey.
The poll, conducted from November 21 to 24 with 1,412 respondents, showed Duterte as the dominant frontrunner with 33.3% voter preference. Tulfo followed at 13.4%, effectively tied with Robredo at 13%.
Robredo has previously stated she has no intention of running for president again in 2028, despite persistent calls for her to make another bid.
Other potential contenders listed in the survey were Senator Bong Go (4%), Senator Robin Padilla (3.3%), former Senator Grace Poe (3.3%), Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros (2.4%), Senator Bam Aquino (2%), Senator Kiko Pangilinan (1.6%), former House Speaker Martin Romualdez (0.8%), Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong (0.5%), and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla (0.3%).
Political scientist Prof. Julio Teehankee said Duterte remains the candidate to beat in 2028:
“You know, objectively speaking, it’s not surprising because, as expected, the vice president still has a solid base of support and still remains the favorite on top of the pre-2028 survey,” Teehankee said.
He noted Duterte’s strong support in much of the Visayas and across Mindanao, enough to carry her to victory in a national race.
Robredo maintains solid backing in the Bicol region and parts of the Visayas, while Tulfo draws significant support from Luzon, but Teehankee said these are not enough to pose a major threat to Duterte’s lead.