Senator Robin Padilla leads voter preferences for the 2028 senatorial race according to the latest OCTA Research survey, despite encountering recent criticism regarding his questioning during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings.
Conducted from July 4 to 11 among 1,200 respondents with a ±3% margin of error, the nationwide survey placed Padilla at the top spot with 53.9% voter preference. He was followed by Senator Raffy Tulfo at 47.4%, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano at 45.4%, former Senator Grace Poe at 44.5%, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto at 42%.
While Padilla, Tulfo, and Cayetano remain eligible for a second Senate term in 2028 and Poe can mount a return after finishing her term in 2025, Sotto has repeatedly maintained that he will not seek national office after his mayoral term ends in 2028.
Rounding out the top twelve were Senator Loren Legarda, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, former Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and TIEZA Chief Executive Officer Mark Lapid.
Positioned just outside the preliminary winning circle were Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senator Mark Villar, and Education Secretary Sonny Angara.