Erwin Tulfo tops OCTA's voting preference poll

FORMER Social Welfare and Development secretary Erwin Tulfo emerged as the top senatorial candidate among a majority of Filipinos, the latest Tugon ng Masa survey of independent research firm OCTA Research showed.

Conducted from September 30 to October 4, the poll indicated that 60 percent of adult Filipinos will vote for the ACT-CIS Party-list representative if the midterm elections were held during the survey period.

Landing far second is Sen. Christopher «Bong» Go with a 49 percent voting preference, while the 42 percent of former Senate president Vicente Sotto 3rd could place him between third to fifth spot.

Sitting Senators Maria Imelda Josefa «Imee» Marcos and Ronald «Bato» dela Rosa both logged a 39 percent voting preference, which could place them between the third and seventh spots.

Also coming in strong are Sen. Pilar Juliana «Pia» Cayetano and former Manila mayor Francisco «Isko Moreno» Domagoso with 36 percent and 35 percent, respectively, good for the fourth to ninth spots.

Still in the public's mind is former senator and presidential aspirant Panfilo «Ping» Lacson with a 32 percent voting preference, same with Sen. Ramon «Bong» Revilla Jr., which could rank them between sixth and 10th spot.

On the other hand, Sen. Manuel «Lito» Lapid and former senator Emmanuel «Manny» Pacquiao shared the 10th to 13th spot after getting 26 percent in the survey.

«If the May 2025 elections were held during the survey period, 13 personalities would have a statistical chance of winning. Most of them are either current or former members of the Senate. Among those with a statistical chance of winning, seven are incumbent senators and three are former senators,» OCTA Research stated.

Willie Ong also has a statistical chance of winning as a senator with his 21 percent that could secure him the 11th up to the 18th spot.

While only 12 senators will be elected for the 2025 midterm polls, the recent survey showed that former senators Francis «Kiko» Pangilinan and Gregorio «Gringo» Honasan, as well as former vice president Noli de Castro may still prominently figure in the race with their 19 percent voting preference.

Defense Secretary Gilbert «Gibo» Teodoro Jr. was next on the list