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Nine administration-backed candidates Ddominate top 12 in 2025 senate survey

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ADMIN SENATE SLATE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. introduces the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate on Sept. 26, 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The lineup was composed of candidates from various political parties, including the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Nacionalista Party (NP). (PNA photo by Ruth Abbey Carlos)

DAVAO CITY —Nine of the top 12 preferred candidates in the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) senatorial survey are part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration slate, showcasing a strong showing for the administration ahead of the 2025 elections.

According to the survey conducted by OCTA Research from November 10 to 16, 2024, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, running under the Marcos administration slate, emerged as the frontrunner with 73 percent voter preference.

The survey posed the question: “If the May 2025 elections were held today, who would you likely vote for as senator?” Respondents were allowed to select up to 12 candidates.

Top Candidates

  • Erwin Tulfo: Administration-backed, 73%
  • Ben Tulfo: Independent candidate and media personality, 66%
  • Vicente “Tito” Sotto III: Former Senate President, administration-backed, 63%
  • Christopher “Bong” Go: reelectionist Senator under PDP-Laban, 52%

Remaining Top 12 Candidates

The rest of the top 12 include:

  • Pia Cayetano: Incumbent Senator, administration-backed, 49%
  • Ramon Revilla Jr.: Incumbent Senator, administration-backed, 49%
  • Panfilo Lacson: Former Senator, administration-backed, 47%
  • Imee Marcos: Incumbent Senator and the president’s sister, 41%
  • Manny Pacquiao: Former Senator, administration-backed, 38%
  • Lito Lapid: Incumbent Senator, administration-backed, 36%
  • Francis Tolentino: Incumbent Senator, administration-backed, 32%
  • Benjamin Abalos Jr.: Former Interior Secretary, administration-backed, 30%

The survey, conducted via face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide, has a margin of error of ±3 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

The results highlight the strong influence of the Marcos administration’s endorsement, as nine of the top 12 candidates are affiliated with or supported by the administration. This dominance underscores the administration’s capacity to shape the senatorial race as the 2025 elections approach.