Pangilinan on survey of front-runners for next polls: Too early for 2028

Sen. Francis Pangilinan. — Photo from Senate Social Media Unit MANILA, Philippines — Following the release of a Pulse Asia survey on voter preferences ahead of the 2028 elections, where Sen. Robinhood Padilla topped the senatorial race, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan took to social media to say it’s too early to name the front-runners. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pangilinan said the 2028 elections are still in the distant future. “Malayo pa ang 2028. Walang bibitiw!! [2028 is still a long way off. No one is backing down!],” he said Article continues after this advertisement He also posted photos of a pre-election survey from April 20 to 24, 2025, where he ranked in the 16th to 18th place, only 4 percent shy of being included in the top 12. He highlighted that the survey had a ±2 margin of error, implying that the Senate race was “anybody’s ball game”. READ: Sara Duterte, Bong Go top bets for President, VP in 2028, survey says “We aren’t on the list on page 1; we are on page 2. We are ranked 16th to 18th, trailing the top 12 by 4 percent, while the margin of error is plus or minus 2 percent. As the saying goes, it’s anyone’s game, and the race for the 12th through 18th spots is a tight contest,” he said in Filipino. Pangilinan recalled the previous year’s survey result ended with Sen. Bam Aquino as the second preferred senate candidate from being in the rank 11th to 18th bracket during the pre-election survey, while he placed fifth. “The important thing is, we did not give up and fought hand to hand until the end. The result? Bam came in number 2 and we came in number 5. While Risa’s Akbayan Partylist came in number 1 and Leila also won the ML Partylist. Remember. The people did not abandon us and I am confident that the people will not abandon us,” he added. Article continues after this advertisement Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed support for Pangilinan, adding that surveys are mere “snapshots of voters’ preferences” during specific periods. ““Yes, Sen. Kiko. We may have run under different alliances, but I am happy that you and Sen. Bam not only made it but won strong and big. That being said, surveys are nothing but snapshots of voters’ preferences during specific timeframes,” he said. Article continues after this advertisement The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from June 28 to July 6, showed that Padilla was the top preferred candidate at 48.4 percent, followed by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto at 47.9 percent. Meanwhile, other senators included in the Magic 12 bracket were Sen. Raffy Tulfo in 2nd to 5th places at 43.9 percent, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano at 43.2 percent ranked 3rd to 5th places, Sen. Loren Legarda at 40.3 percent also ranked 3rd to 5th places, Sen. Manny Pacquiao at 35.6 percent ranked 6th to 7th places, Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay at 32.4 percent ranked 6th to 7th places, Education Sec. Sonny Angara at 27.2 percent ranked 8th to 9th places, Sen. Mark Villar at 26.1 percent ranked 8th to 9th places, and Ben Tulfo at 20.7 percent ranked 10th to 12th places. /jpv Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.