A new survey by research firm Tangere suggests that the 2028 national elections could feature a historic contest, with Vice President Sara Duterte and former Vice President, now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo emerging as the leading contenders for the presidency.
Conducted from March 3 to 6, 2026 among 1,200 respondents with a ±2.77% margin of error, the survey showed Duterte at 48.4% and Robredo at 28.9%—both posting gains from previous numbers.
Trailing them were Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros (3.7%), Senator Chiz Escudero (3.5%), and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla (1.5%). Meanwhile, 14.1% of respondents remained undecided.
Senator Raffy Tulfo was excluded from the list after announcing he would seek reelection in the Senate rather than run for president or vice president.
If trends hold, this would mark the first time in Philippine history that two women face off for the presidency.
GO, AQUINO, TULFO IN TIGHT VICE-PRESIDENTIAL RACE
The same survey indicated a close three-way contest for the vice presidency. Senator Bong Go led with 26.7%, followed by Senator Bam Aquino at 21.1% and Senator Erwin Tulfo at 14.4%.
All three were top finishers in the 2025 senatorial elections, with Go placing first, Aquino second, and Tulfo fourth.
Other names in the vice-presidential race included Senator Robin Padilla (8.8%), Escudero (4.9%), Hontiveros (4.8%), Senator Imee Marcos (2.9%), and Education Secretary Sonny Angara (2.1%). About 14.3% of respondents remained undecided.
Tulfo, however, previously said in a Senate ambush interview that he had no plans to run for vice president, despite speculation he could be paired with Robredo should she pursue another presidential bid.