DESPITE his pronouncement that he has retired from politics, former president Rodrigo Duterte is the top choice as candidate for the Senate in a survey by the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI).
The poll was conducted in select villages nationwide from October 2 to 8.
Next to Duterte is former senator and boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, followed by Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.
Incumbent senators Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos and Christopher “Bong” Go were in fourth and fifth spots, followed by former Senate leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
Sitting Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Manuel “Lito” Lapid occupied the 8th to 10th slots, respectively
In 11th to 20th place are Sen. Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., former vice president Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sen. Francis Tolentino, former senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Willie Ong, former senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.
The PAPI asked 1,000 respondents to list their Top 20 choices for the Senate if the midterm elections were held during the survey period.
With over a year before the 2025 midterm elections, many pollsters believe that a lot will still happen and changes in ranking may take place anytime, PAPI said.
