“If this latest poll is any indication, Filipinos are watching”
It’s not often that three senators from markedly different political and personal backgrounds find themselves standing on the same podium of public approval. But the latest survey on the performance ratings of senators, conducted from Sept. 27 to 30, 2025, shows exactly that.
Based on Pulse Asia–style data circulating in political circles, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go (76 percent), Raffy Tulfo (71 percent), and Alan Peter Cayetano (65 percent) appeared as the public’s top performers.
All three – representing different political doctrines – enjoyed 100 percent awareness, a reminder that in Philippine politics, name recall remains the first step toward influence.
Political observers say Go continues to benefit from his enduring association with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose shadow still looms large over Mindanao and elsewhere. His brand of “malasakit” politics – quiet, service-oriented, and anchored on proximity to the grassroots – still resonates strongly, especially in the provinces where government presence is felt least.
Tulfo himself has turned his broadcast persona into a full-fledged political identity. His appeal cuts across classes: the middle class sees him as a no-nonsense watchdog, while the working poor see in him a champion who speaks their language.
His approval rating confirms that the Tulfo brand – direct, emotional, and unapologetically confrontational – continues to deliver results.
Cayetano combines experience, intellect, and a reputation for moral conviction.
His approval rating, while slightly lower, is significant, according to observers, because it’s built not merely on showmanship but on substance.
Cayetano was recently at the forefront of calls for accountability in government infrastructure spending, especially the alleged anomalies in flood-control projects. His message – “I don’t want a revolution, I want a revival” – captures a yearning for reform without chaos, idealism without naivety.
The power of perception
These approval numbers, observers argue, matter in a country where political fortunes often rise and fall with social media trends. They are a form of currency, political capital that can translate into influence within the Senate and credibility with the public.
The Senate as an institution, according to other recent Pulse Asia data, holds a modest 53 percent approval – an improvement from earlier months but still far from robust.
Within this environment, senators with consistently high personal ratings enjoy leverage not just in committee assignments but also in shaping public narratives. When they speak, people listen.
But approval, like trust, is fragile. One scandal, one viral gaffe, or one poorly explained vote can erode years of goodwill. As seen in past surveys, today’s darlings can quickly become tomorrow’s disappointments.
The dominance of Go, Tulfo, and Cayetano also reveals something about where the Filipino public’s head and heart are.
People are tired of political gamesmanship and yearn for tangible results – help that’s visible, governance that feels personal.
Observers predict these three senators symbolize that craving for accessibility: Go’s Malasakit Centers, Tulfo’s televised brand of justice, and Cayetano’s mix of moral discourse and pragmatic reform.
Their success reveals a disconnect between Metro Manila’s political chatter and the sentiments of the broader electorate.
While pundits debate ideology and party alliances, the public seems to reward empathy, presence, and perceived sincerity.
The road ahead
If they’re smart, Go, Tulfo, and Cayetano will treat this moment not as vindication but as responsibility – to prove that popularity can still coexist with principle.
In a Senate often criticized for grandstanding and gridlock, the real test of performance is not how often a senator trends but how much the country moves forward because of what they do.
If this latest poll is any indication, Filipinos are watching.
