MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo took the lead among potential contenders for the 2028 senatorial race, garnering a 47 percent voting preference in the latest third-quarter survey conducted by OCTA Research.
Following closely behind Tulfo are fellow lawmakers Senator Robin Padilla at 45 percent, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano at 44 percent, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto at 42 percent. OCTA noted that these four prominent figures are locked in a statistical tie for the frontrunner positions.
Former Senator Grace Poe secured the fifth spot with 36 percent, followed by Senator Loren Legarda with 31 percent.
The polling period, which ran from September 28 to October 4, captured a wide field of contenders vying for a spot in the preliminary top 12. Former Makati City Mayor Abby Binay placed next with 29 percent, followed by Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Vice-Chairperson and CEO Mark Lapid at 28 percent, and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero at 27 percent.
Rounding out the prospective upper tier are former Senator and Education Secretary Sonny Angara alongside former Senator and National Anti-Poverty Commission Lead Convenor Manny Pacquiao, who both drew 25 percent.
Broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo registered 23 percent, Senator Jinggoy Estrada obtained 22 percent, while former Senator Koko Pimentel and former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo each garnered 20 percent.
Senator Mark Villar tracked at 19 percent, with former Senator Gringo Honasan and former Senator and Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino trailing closely at 18 percent each.
Research analysts underscored that the figures represent hypothetical voting preferences based on a specialized list provided to respondents during the polling window.
OCTA cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions, noting that overlapping statistical ranges mean multiple figures remain competitive for the final 12 seats, and pointing out that shifts in the candidate pool or sampling metrics could influence future outcomes.