Sara, Bong Go top choices for president, VP – Pulse

October 13, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Bong Go remained the most preferred candidates for president and vice president, respectively, according to a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

Results of the Sept. 17 to 24 survey released yesterday showed 50 percent of the respondents saying they would vote for Duterte for president if the 2028 elections were held during the survey period.

She led by a 24-point margin against Naga City Mayor and former vice president Leni Robredo, who placed second with the support of 26 percent of the respondents.

Following them were Sen. Raffy Tulfo with 12 percent, Sen. Risa Hontiveros with three percent, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro with one percent, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon with one percent and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong with 0.3 percent.

Seven percent of the respondents did not support a specific individual.

For the vice presidential race, Go was still the most preferred candidate with the support of 31 percent of the respondents.

He was followed by Sen. Robin Padilla with 19 percent, Sen. Bam Aquino with 17 percent, former senator Grace Poe with 14 percent, Sen. Erwin Tulfo with 10 percent, Sen. Francis Pangilinan with three percent and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Nic Torre with 0.3 percent. Five percent did not support any particular candidate for vice president.

The survey was conducted amid the ongoing impeachment trial of the Vice President. Only Duterte has publicly declared her intention to run for higher office in 2028.

Among possible candidates for Senate in 2028, Poe emerged as the most preferred candidate with the support of 50.2 percent.

Following her were Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano (46.5 percent), Sen. Robin Padilla (45.9 percent), Sen. Raffy Tulfo (44.4 percent), Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte (37.2 percent), former senator Manny Pacquiao (36.5 percent), Sen. Loren Legarda (33 percent).

Also on top of the list were former senator and incumbent Makati Mayor Nancy Binay (31.7 percent), Sen. Francis Escudero (30.1 percent), former senator and incumbent Education Secretary Sonny Angara (26.3 percent), broadcaster Ben Tulfo (86 percent) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority chief operating officer Mark Lapid (19.8 percent).

Outside the so-called “Magic 12” but within statistical chances of winning were Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, television host Willie Revillame and detained former congressman Mike Defensor.

The survey had 2,400 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus two percent.

‘No-election scenario’

Duterte, meanwhile, has warned anew of “no-election” scenario in 2028, citing efforts to stop her, particularly through impeachment.

“First is impeachment. Second, there is Charter change. And third, no-elections. So, I’ve been warning you for a long time,” Duterte said at a press conference.

Duterte’s known ally Sen. Imee Marcos also warned of a “no-election” scenario in 2028, citing the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to November 2028.

“You know, I just noticed that they were trying to link all the illegal activities with me… confidential funds, corruption. Actually, there’s more. They are trying to link us with drugs. So corruption, drugs. Now they have China funds,” Duterte noted.

Duterte accused the administration of trying everything to stop her in her presidential bid.

“The narrative changed. Now, we have shifted to China and become a national security risk for businesses that trade with China… They will do everything to make me fall, just as I said. Because this is about the 2028 elections,” Duterte added. — Bella Cariaso