Raffy, Sara top choices for 2028 presidential race – survey

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Vice President Sara Duterte are statistically tied among potential candidates for president in the 2028 elections, a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.

Results of the March 6 to 10 survey that circulated among the media over the weekend showed Tulfo leading by a point – within the survey’s margin of error – against Duterte.

The senator obtained 35 percent of support, while Duterte, previously seen as a frontrunner, received 34 percent.

They were followed by former vice president Leni Robredo with 11 percent, Sen. Imee Marcos with five percent, Sen. Robin Padilla with two percent, Sen. Risa Hontiveros with one percent and Speaker Martin Romualdez with less than a percent of support.

Another poll, this time for preferences for vice president, showed Sen. Grace Poe leading with 35 percent, followed by Senator Marcos with 16 percent, former senator Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Robin Padilla with 14 percent, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri with seven percent, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro with four percent and Romualdez with one percent.

Respondents also mentioned other names as potential candidates for vice president, such as Tulfo, Sen. Bong Go, Hontiveros, former senator Francis Pangilinan, Duterte, her brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and their father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Pulse Asia has yet to issue an official statement on the release of the survey results.

An earlier release from the polling firm said that its first quarter Ulat ng Bayan survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

At the Senate, Zubiri dispelled rumors that he will seek public office in 2028.

Zubiri thanked Pulse Asia for including him in its last survey for the next vice presidential race as he assured the public that his four remaining years of public service will be dedicated to uplifting the lives of every Filipino through meaningful legislation.

“However, to dispel any rumors that may arise, I would like to make it clear that I will not be running for any public office in 2028 and I am, in fact, contemplating my retirement from almost 30 years of politics,” Zubiri said.

The Senate President thanked “my kababayans from Mindanao and the Visayas for their support, making up 14 percent and 8 percent of my Pulse Asia numbers, respectively.” — Cecille Suerte Felipe