MANILA — The latest Pulse Asia survey shows Vice President Sara Duterte still leading the early 2028 presidential preference, while Sen. Erwin Tulfo ranks first in the vice presidential race.
In a hypothetical one-on-one presidential matchup, Duterte received 51 percent support compared to 41 percent for former Vice President Leni Robredo, with the rest undecided or non-responsive. The survey was conducted from May 3 to 7 with 1,500 respondents across the country.
For the vice presidency, Tulfo gained 46 percent support, ahead of Sen. Robinhood Padilla who posted 38 percent.
Regional breakdowns revealed strong geographic patterns: Duterte dominated Mindanao with 91 percent support, while Robredo performed best in Balance Luzon with 55 percent. In the National Capital Region, the contest was closely matched, with Duterte at 48 percent and Robredo at 46 percent.
Stratbase Group founder Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said Duterte’s stronghold in Mindanao was expected, but emphasized that national campaigns typically shift as elections approach.
He noted that improving performance in key regions and appealing to undecided voters would be crucial for any candidate seeking to close the gap.
Duterte has already expressed plans to run for president in 2028 amid ongoing political developments, while Robredo has indicated she will focus on her local government role in Naga City.
In terms of trust ratings, Tulfo topped the list with 63 percent, followed by Sen. Bong Go and Robredo.
The survey also reflected growing public attention toward the 2028 elections, with most respondents saying they are already interested despite the election being two years away. It also highlighted the internet as the dominant news source for Filipinos.
ia/xf
