Vice President Sara Duterte continues to solidify her position as the frontrunner for the 2028 presidential elections, according to the latest national survey conducted by the nonpartisan public opinion firm WR Numero. The March 2026 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor reveals that Duterte remains the preferred candidate, while the vice presidential race appears highly competitive with no single candidate establishing a decisive lead.
Presidential Preferences Show Duterte's Steady Lead
The survey, which asked Filipinos about their preferred candidates for the 2028 national elections, found that approximately 36% of respondents would vote for Vice President Sara Duterte. This represents a modest but significant 3-point increase from the previous November 2025 survey, indicating growing support for her potential presidential bid.
Trailing behind Duterte are Senator Raffy Tulfo with 19% voter preference and former Vice President Leni Robredo with 16%. Both candidates have seen gains in their polling numbers, with Tulfo rising by 5 percentage points and Robredo increasing by 3 points since the last survey.
Other Presidential Contenders
Further down the list, Senator Bong Go stands at 4%, followed by Senator Bam Aquino at 3%, and Senator Kiko Pangilinan at 1%. Several other potential candidates polled below 1%, including Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, and Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre.
Notably, nearly one in five Filipinos (19%) remain undecided about their presidential choice, indicating that a significant portion of the electorate has yet to make up their minds as the 2028 elections approach.
Vice Presidential Race Remains Wide Open
The survey reveals an even more fragmented landscape for the vice presidential contest. More than a quarter of voters have not yet identified their preferred candidate for vice president, creating substantial room for movement in the coming months.
Among those who expressed a preference, three candidates are tied at the top with 12% each: incumbent Senator Bong Go, former Senator Grace Poe, and Senator Robin Padilla. This represents a significant shift from the previous survey, where Senator Bong Go held a sole lead that has since diminished following a 7-point decline in March 2026. Meanwhile, both Poe and Padilla have gained ground, picking up 4 and 3 percentage points respectively.
Emerging and Declining Vice Presidential Contenders
Neophyte Senator Rodante Marcoleta has entered the vice presidential survey for the first time and immediately captured 8% of voter preference. Opposition leader Senator Risa Hontiveros garners 6%, recording a three-point increase from November 2025.
In contrast, Senator Bam Aquino has experienced a notable decline, with his voting preference dipping by 5 points to just 2% in March 2026. Other potential vice presidential contenders include Senators Chiz Escudero and Kiko Pangilinan, both at 5%, and Senator Imee Marcos at 2%. President Bongbong Marcos and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno each attain 4% in the vice presidential polling.
Rounding out the list are Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, all of whom poll less than 1%.
Survey Methodology and Context
The March 2026 nationwide survey was conducted from March 10 to 17 through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,455 Filipinos residing in the Philippines. The survey carries a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level nationally. At the subnational level, the margin of error varies: ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±4% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±6% for Mindanao, all at the same 95% confidence level.
These findings form part of the WR Numero Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, Volume 2026, Issue 9, March 2026. The comprehensive survey not only includes the latest voter preferences for the 2028 elections but also covers current public opinion on several significant political issues, including the Anti-Dynasty Bill, impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte, and the detention and trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte at The Hague.
