Tulfo brothers, Go lead OCTA senatorial survey

MANILA, Philippines — Two brothers of incumbent Sen. Raffy Tulfo are the most preferred candidates for senator in the latest poll conducted by the OCTA Research group.

Survey results released yesterday found ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo leading the poll conducted on June 26 to July 1. Some 58 percent said they would vote for Erwin, who is also a former social welfare secretary, if the elections were held during the survey period.

Tied at second spot are another Tulfo, broadcaster Ben, and Sen. Bong Go with 45 percent of support.

They were followed by former Senate president Vicente Sotto III (44 percent), Sen. Pia Cayetano (39 percent), Sen. Bong Revilla (38 percent), Sen. Ronald dela Rosa (36 percent), Sen. Francis Tolentino (34 percent) and former senator Panfilo Lacson (34 percent).

Former president Rodrigo Duterte obtained the support of 33 percent of the respondents, closely followed by former senator Manny Pacquiao with 32 percent.

Also within the statistical chances of winning are Sen. Imee Marcos (28 percent), Sen. Lito Lapid (28 percent), Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos (27 percent), former Manila mayor Isko Moreno (23 percent) and Makati Mayor Abby Binay (23 percent).

Trailing them are Dr. Willie Ong (20 percent), Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte (18 percent), former Senate president Franklin Drilon (17 percent) and former senators Francis Pangilinan (17 percent), Gregorio Honasan II (17 percent) and Richard Gordon (15 percent).

Following them are Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte (15 percent), television host Willie Revillame (15 percent), Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (14 percent), Finance Secretary Ralph Recto (14 percent), broadcaster Ted Failon (13 percent) and former interior secretary Mar Roxas (13 percent).

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.

Meanwhile, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia yesterday said social media influencers hired to endorse or campaign for candidates in next year’s elections may have to pay taxes for the job.

Garcia said the Comelec intends to collaborate with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to collect taxes from social media influencers performing