Robin Padilla leads Pulse Asia survey for May 2028 senatorial polls

Senator Robin Padilla has emerged as the top preferred candidate for the upcoming May 2028 senatorial elections, according to a recent survey by Philippine pollster Pulse Asia. The survey, conducted from June 28 to July 3 and 6, revealed that Padilla garnered 48.4% of respondents' preference, placing him in the 1st to 2nd rank. He was closely followed by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who secured 47.9% of the votes, ranking him 1st to 3rd. Out of the 53 names presented to respondents, 17 personalities, mostly incumbent and former lawmakers, have a statistical chance of winning if the May 2028 polls were held during the survey period. Also in the winning list were Education Secretary Sonny Angara at 27.2% (8th to 9th places); Senator Mark Villar at 26.1% (8th to 9th places); Ben Tulfo at 20.7% (10th to 12th places); Senator Jinggoy Estrada at 19.5% (10th to 17th places); Willie Revillame at 19.0% (10th to 17th places); Senator Francis Escudero at 17.2% (11th to 19th places); former AnaKalusugan Party-List representative Michael Defensor at 17.1% (11th to 20th places); former Senator Manuel Roxas II at 17.1% (11th to 20th places); Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos at 17.0% (11th to 20th places); and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark T. Lapid at 16.9% (11th to 21st places). The survey also indicated that while 89% of Filipinos are interested in the May 2028 polls, only 19% have a complete slate or expressed support for 12 senatorial candidates. A total of 2,400 adults were interviewed face-to-face for the survey, which has a ±2% error margin at the 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for geographic areas have error margins of ±4% at the 95% confidence level for Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.