ALLIES of former President Rodrigo Duterte dominate the latest Senate race rankings as voter sentiment shifts due to dissatisfaction with the national leadership, according to the PAHAYAG 2025 First Quarter Survey (PQ1-2025).
Conducted March 15-20, the survey took place shortly after Duterte’s arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, a development that may have further influenced voter preferences.
If the elections were held today, the projected top 12 would consist of six candidates from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP), three from Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), two from the Liberal Party/Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, and one independent candidate—highlighting a fragmented yet competitive race.
Candidates from Duterte’s PDP dominated the top spots, with Senator Christoper Go leading at 45 percent, followed by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa at 35 percent.
Meanwhile, independent candidates former senators Bam Aquino and Panfilo Lacson tied for third and fourth place with 33 percent, while Francis Pangilinan trailed closely at 32 percent.
For the administration-backed ABP slate, former frontrunner Erwin Tulfo dropped to sixth place, tying with former Senate President Vicente Sotto at 29 percent. They were followed by Pia Cayetano (27 percent) and Francis Tolentino (23 percent).
Among independent candidates, Ben Tulfo fell to 22 percent, while Manny Pacquiao and Rodante Marcoleta secured the final spots in the Magic 12 with 21 percent each.
The survey also revealed that 44 percent of the respondents have already decided on their senatorial picks, while 56 percent remain undecided with just over a month before election day.