Senator Erwin Tulfo has emerged as a strong contender for the vice presidency in a hypothetical 2028 election scenario, according to a newly released weekend survey.
The poll, conducted by research firm Pulse Asia and commissioned by the Stratbase Group, shows the broadcast journalist-turned-lawmaker leading Senator Robin Padilla in a head-to-head matchup. Tulfo secured a 46% voting preference compared to the action star-turned-lawmaker’s 38%.
A regional breakdown reveals that Tulfo dominates major voting blocks, leading Padilla in the National Capital Region (54% vs. 29%), Balance Luzon (52% vs. 26%), and the Visayas (63% vs. 30%). However, Padilla holds a commanding lead in Mindanao with 77% against Tulfo’s 18%, heavily favored in the region as a known ally of Vice President Sara Duterte.
TULFO VS. GO SCENARIO
While Tulfo leads Padilla, he faces a tighter race against Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in a separate one-on-one scenario.
The survey shows Go, the former Special Assistant to the President during the Duterte administration, leading with 47% against Tulfo’s 42%.
The competition between Go and Tulfo is neck-and-neck in the National Capital Region (45% for Go vs. 43% for Tulfo) and the Visayas (46% for Go vs. 49% for Tulfo). While Tulfo maintains his advantage in Balance Luzon (52% vs. 30%), Go overwhelmingly sweeps his bailiwick in Mindanao, capturing 83% of the preference against Tulfo’s 17%.
Go and Padilla are widely considered potential running mates for Vice President Duterte, who is expected to gun for the presidency in 2028.
Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo has previously maintained that neither he nor his brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, intend to seek higher office in the upcoming national elections.