Tulfo brothers, Sotto top pre-election Senate poll

Metro Manila, Philippines — Two popular brothers and a former celebrity lawmaker topped a new non-commissioned pre-election survey for the Senate released on Thursday, Oct. 3, by a public opinion research group.

According to WR Numero Research’s September poll, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo led with a score of 47.2%. He also topped the last survey in March.

Former Senate President Tito Sotto was second at 39.3%, while Tulfo’s eldest brother, Ben, was third at 36.1%

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was a Number 4-5 choice, followed by sitting senator Pia Cayetano, former lawmaker Manny Pacquiao, reelectionist Bong Revilla, and Ping Lacson, who has already filed his certificate of candidacy.

Rounding up the so-called Magic 12 were the president’s sister Imee Marcos, incumbent senator and Duterte ally Bato dela Rosa, Kiko Pangilinan who is set to make a comeback, and senator Lito Lapid.

Doctor vlogger and former vice presidential candidate Willie Ong was outside the Magic 12, followed by Senators Bong Go and Francis Tolentino.

Compared with the March survey, WR Numero Research said some of the biggest gainers were Francis Tolentino, Bam Aquino, Gringo Honasan, and Franklin Drilon, all outside the Top 12.

WR Numero interviewed 1,729 adult Filipinos from Sept. 5 to 23 for the report. The survey had a 95% confidence level and a ±2% margin of error.

The filing of certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections is from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8.