MANILA, Philippines — Following a declaration by senators Robin 'Robinhood' Padilla and Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III that they are no longer interested to fun in 2028, the latest polls by independent group Tangere showed neophyte senator Rafael 'Raffy' Tufo and former senator Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares as leading contenders in the market research firm's 2028 senatorial preference survey.

The broadcaster-turned-public servant ranked first with 49.8 percent voter preference, followed by Action King Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ)'s daughter with 43.5 percent. Tangere likewise disclosed that Tulfo also remains as a strong candidate for both a possible higher executive post, while Poe continued to benefit from high name recall and support as a' returnee' candidate.

Also following Padilla’s withdrawal, public support shifted significantly to members of the Duterte family with Davao City mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte posting a 36.6 percent voter preference while his brother, Davao City representative Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte registering 37.1 percent. Both placed within the 3rd to 7th rank cluster, capturing much of Padilla’s former voter base, according to Tangere.

The survey also showed increasing support for newer political figures, particularly among Millennial and Generation Z voters. Social Welfare secretary Rexlon 'Rex' Gatchalian placed seventh with 34.4 percent, Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte-Alimurung ranked within the 8th to 14th bracket with 29.3 percent and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora landed in the 16th to 27th range with 19.8 percent. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin 'Benjie' Magalong (15.1 percent) and Movie Television Classification and Review Board (MTRCB) chairman Diorella Maria 'Lala' Sotto-Antonio (14.7 percent) also gained ground, reflecting the same youth-driven demographic pattern that previously boosted incumbent Pasig City mayor Victor Maria Regis 'Vico' Sotto in earlier polls.

Completing the projected top 12 were incumbent senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Lorna Regina 'Loren' Legarda, both at 38.0 percent and ranked 3rd to 7th; former senator Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao with 31.2 percent; senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero with 30.2 percent; media executive Bienvenido 'Ben' (Bitag) Tufo with 30.1 percent; and education secretary Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara with 28.4 percent.