Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has taken the top spot among potential senatorial contenders for the 2028 elections in the latest survey conducted by research firm Tangere, even as he consistently maintains he has no intention to pursue higher national office.
In the non-commissioned survey administered from August 12 to 15, Sotto registered a 42.1% voter preference rating. The result reflects a 6.1 percentage point increase from Tangere’s previous poll, positioning him at the lead of a 75-candidate field.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte placed second in the preference rankings with 37%, followed closely by Senator Raffy Tulfo at 36.5% and Senator Robin Padilla at 36%. Former Senator Grace Poe rounded out the top five with 35.8%.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano ranked sixth with 32.3%, followed by Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte at 31.6%. Former Vice President and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo tied with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso at 30.8%, while broadcaster Ben Tulfo captured the tenth position at 28.7%.
Rounding out the top choices were former Senator Manny Pacquiao in 11th place with 28%, Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno in 12th with 25.1% after a 5% gain, and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero with 24.3%.