Ten senatorial candidates are “statistically tied” for the ninth to 12th ranking in the 2025 senatorial elections, with the administration solidifying its political dominance by keeping nine slots in the so-called “Magic 12.”
In its latest non-commissioned Pre-Election Senatorial Preferential Survey from November 6-9, aspirants Lito Lapid (31.92%), Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (31.17%), Francis Tolentino (31.04%), Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (30.67%), Rodante Marcoleta (30.75%%), Benigno “Bam” Aquino (30.50%), Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos (30.42%), Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (30.33%) and Willie Revillame (30.08%) are statistically tied competing for the 9th to 12th slots in the 2025 senatorial polls.
“The biggest winners were Senators ‘Bato’ dela Rosa (Ranked No. 17) and Imee Marcos (Ranked No. 18), who are both now vying for the 9th to 12 places. For Sen. de la Rosa, his rise in ranking came after former President Rodrigo Duterte attended a drug war Senate hearing, while Sen. Marcos benefitted from the press conference of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Tangere chief executive officer (CEO) Martin Penaflor said.
“Sen. Marcos gained strong voter preference in Central and Northern Luzon when VP Sara told the public that Marcos convinced her to be her brother’s running mate in the 2022 elections. Apparently, strong family connection matters a lot to Filipino voters,” he added.
In the November survey, the Tulfo brothers maintained their substantial lead. ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo’s voter preference increased by 2.5%. Cong. Erwin Tulfo achieved high voter preference across all categories—areas, regions, and socio-economic classes—and received significantly lower voter preference among voters aged 18-25 and 51 years old and above than voters aged 26 to 50.
Like his brother, Media Executive Ben ‘Bitag’ Tulfo received significantly lower voter preference among voters aged 51 and above.
Senator Bong Go ranked 3rd-4th place with a 50.13% voter preference, driven by respondents from Mindanao and voters aged 36-50.
The increase in former Senator Sotto’s voter preference was driven by voters from Northern and Central Luzon. The former senator received significantly lower voter preference among voters aged 18 to 25.
Closely behind in 5th to 7th place are former Senator Manny Pacquiao with a 41.50% voter preference driven by voters from Visayas; former Senator Ping Lacson with a 41.00% voter preference driven by voters aged 36 years old and above; and Senator Pia Cayetano with a 40.46%
voters from Metro Manila drive voter preference.
Makati Mayor Abby Binay ranked 8th with a 37.00% voter preference driven by Metro Manila voters and voters aged 26-35. Former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos ranked 9th with a 33.96% voter preference driven by Metro Manila voters and those who identified themselves as belonging to the upper and middle-income classes.
“If you were to ask me, former Sotto does not need to campaign and will still maintain his third or fourth ranking,” Penaflor said.
Admin keeps 9-12 lead
According to Tangere, nine of the top 12 senators in the November polls are still from the Marcos administration’s slate.
Among them are incumbent senators Cayetano, Lapid, Tolentino, Sotto (46.50 percent), Pacquiao, Lacson, Makati Mayor Abby Binay (37.00%) and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos (33.96%).
The survey was administered via a mobile-based respondent
application with a sample size of 2,400 participants (+/- 1.96% Margin of Error at a 95% Confidence Level) using a Stratified Random Sampling method (Quota Based Sampling).
The proportion was spread throughout the Philippines, with 12% from NCR, 23% from Northern Luzon, 22% from Southern Luzon, 20% from Visayas, and 23% from Mindanao.