Despite her ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate, Vice President Sara Duterte remains the top choice among voters to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2028 national elections.
According to a fresh survey conducted by research firm Pulse Asia from June 28 and July 3 to 6, 49% of respondents chose Duterte as their preferred candidate for the country’s 18th presidency. Duterte officially declared her intention to run for the highest office in February.
Former Vice President and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo retained second place with 26% voting preference despite repeatedly rejecting calls to launch another presidential bid. Senator Raffy Tulfo took third place with 14%.
Other contenders listed in the poll include Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon at 1%, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong at 1%, and former Philippine National Police chief and current Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III at 0.1%.
Regional Breakdown
Duterte and Robredo are locked in a tight race in the National Capital Region, where Duterte secured 39% support compared to Robredo’s 38%, while Tulfo garnered 16%.
In Balance Luzon, voters showed a near three-way split, with Robredo and Duterte tied at 31% each and Tulfo closely following at 20%.
Duterte established a firm lead in the Visayas, capturing 53% of the vote against Robredo’s 27% and Tulfo’s 10%. She dominated in her bailiwick of Mindanao, securing an overwhelming 87% preference, while Robredo and Tulfo logged 8% and 2%, respectively.