MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno have secured the frontrunner positions in the latest senatorial preference poll administered by Publicus Asia, establishing themselves at the forefront of the provisional “Magic 12” roster for the upcoming 2028 senatorial race.
The independent nationwide poll, administered between October 1 and 4, captured Sotto leading with a trust rating of 33% alongside a 39% voting predisposition score. Meanwhile, Diokno secured the second spot after capturing a 23% trust index and a 28% voting preference rating.
Securing a three-way tie for the third through fifth positions were former Senator Grace Poe, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, each pulling in a 23% voting predisposition. Individual trust metrics for this bloc showed Poe at 15%, Cayetano at 15%, and Duterte at 17%.
Senator Raffy Tulfo claimed the sixth position with a 22% voting preference and a 12% trust score, closely trailed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima at seventh place with respective figures of 21% and 15%.
An eighth and ninth place tie materialized between Senator Robin Padilla and Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., both drawing a 20% voting predisposition. Padilla registered a 15% trust rating, whereas Teodoro gathered 12%.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero landed in the 10th spot backed by a 19% voting predisposition and a 10% trust evaluation. Completing the top 12 winners’ circle were former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza and physician Willie Ong, who locked down a joint tie for 11th and 12th places.
The pre-election preference study utilized a demographic sample size of 1,581 registered respondents to evaluate both public confidence and voter choices as if the national senatorial elections transpired during the polling window.