MANILA, Philippines—Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto emerged as the frontrunner in Tangere’s early 2028 senatorial survey, reflecting a shift among Filipino voters who now lean toward integrity and clean governance.
The nationwide poll, conducted September 10–13 with 2,000 respondents, showed Sotto leading with a 67% voter preference, up six points from July. He ranked first in all 17 regions of the country.
Former senator Grace Poe followed in second place with 52%, buoyed by strong support from Metro Manila and Luzon. Senator Raffy Tulfo, who previously held the top spot, slipped to third at 47%.
Statistically tied from fourth to seventh were Senators Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Rep. Paolo Duterte. Former Senate president Francis Escudero fell to eighth after sharp declines in Luzon.
Others in the top 15 included media personality Ben “Bitag” Tulfo (31%), Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian (24%), Senators JV Ejercito (23%) and Manny Pacquiao (22%), Education Secretary and former senator Sonny Angara (22%), Rep. Chel Diokno (23%), and former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza (20%).
Senators Mark Villar and Jinggoy Estrada landed outside the top 15, with Estrada dropping to 26th following steep losses among Class D voters.
Tangere said that recent Senate hearings on alleged irregularities in flood control projects were influencing voter sentiment, with 8 to 9 in 10 respondents saying the issue would affect their 2028 choices.
When asked about traits they wanted in candidates, half of voters cited being incorruptible, followed by compassion (45%) and integrity (40%). This marks a departure from the 2025 midterms, when voters emphasized track record, experience, and education.
The survey also found majority support for leadership changes in the Senate, with 63% favoring Sotto to replace Escudero as Senate president and 55% backing Senator Panfilo Lacson to head the Blue Ribbon Committee in place of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
The non-commissioned survey used stratified random sampling with a margin of error of ±2.02% at a 95% confidence level.
