MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo and former Senator Grace Poe lead the latest Tangere 2028 senatorial survey following major shifts in voter sentiment. Market research firm Tangere conducted the non-commissioned mobile poll to capture voter choices across the Philippines.
Crucially, the new poll excluded previous frontrunners who stated they will not run in 2028, including Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and former Vice President Leni Robredo. As a result, freed-up voter shares redistributed across key electoral battlegrounds. For more public polling insights, read our latest market research blog posts.
Key Rankings in the Tangere 2028 Senatorial Survey
The removal of non-running candidates created new opportunities for returning contenders and media personalities:
- Top Tier Leaders: Senator Raffy Tulfo took sole possession of the top spot with 39.9%. Meanwhile, Grace Poe followed closely at second place with 36.7%.
- Strong Movers & Top Gainers: Former Senator Manny Pacquiao posted the largest gain among returning contenders, rising to 32.5%. In addition, musician and media personality Jimmy Bondoc jumped to 18.5%.
- Solidifying the “Magic 12”: Incumbent and former lawmakers strengthened their positions inside the winning circle, led by Robin Padilla (34.0%), Baste Duterte (33.7%), Paolo Duterte (32.8%), Ben ‘Bitag’ Tulfo (30.8%), Chiz Escudero (27.3%), Alan Peter Cayetano (26.6%), Sonny Angara (23.6%), Chel Diokno (22.9%), and Loren Legarda (22.5%).
Rise of Dark Horse Candidates via Digital Engagement
Furthermore, non-traditional contenders leveraged digital reach and broadcast coverage to build strong recall:
- Jimmy Bondoc (18.5%): Emerged as a standout candidate due to viral digital presence.
- Mike Defensor (14.5%): Maintained a firm baseline preference through frequent television appearances.
- Dr. Richard Mata (13.1%): Capitalized on a massive digital footprint as a health advocate.
- Zia Adiong (12.5%): Gained national visibility through viral legislative committee clips.
Regional Vote Redistribution Fuels Momentum
Removing Sotto, Moreno, and Robredo freed up key voter shares in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, and the Bicol Region. As a result, Ben Tulfo (30.8%) and Sonny Angara (23.6%) expanded their reach across Luzon. Meanwhile, Nancy Binay (19.0%) and Joy Belmonte (15.2%) picked up urban support in NCR.
Survey Methodology
Tangere conducted this survey from September 10 to 14, 2026, using its mobile application. The team sampled 2,400 participants nationwide using stratified random sampling. The poll carries a +/- 2.00% Margin of Error at a 95% Confidence Level. Regional distribution covered 12% in NCR, 23% in Northern Luzon, 22% in Southern Luzon, 20% in Visayas, and 23% in Mindanao.
About Tangere
Tangere is an award-winning technology application and market research company that captures authentic Filipino sentiment. In addition, Tangere holds active memberships in MORES, ESOMAR, and PANA.
To request the complete report, email Tangere at qual@tangereapp.com or explore our custom market research services.
