VP Sara-Robin ahead of Leni-Bam in hypothetical matchup

MANILA, Philippines — A new survey by the OCTA Research group showed that more Filipinos prefer the hypothetical tandem of Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla, than Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Sen. Bam Aquino, in the upcoming 2028 national elections.

The survey, conducted from July 4 to 11, found that 48 percent of the respondents would vote for Duterte and Padilla if they run against Robredo and Aquino for president and vice president, respectively.

Thirty-six percent said they would vote for the Robredo-Aquino tandem, while 16 percent were undecided.

Although the Duterte-Padilla tandem is ahead by 12 points, OCTA said this is the “narrowest gap recorded between the two tandems to date.”

“In previous commissioned surveys conducted in 2025, the gap between the tandem of VP Sara Duterte–Sen. Robin Padilla and the tandem of VP Leni Robredo-Sen. Bam Aquino had ranged from approximately 20 to 25 points, indicating a narrowing trend heading into 2028,” the polling firm said.

Only Duterte had declared her intention to run for a national post in 2028.

Padilla, who was frontrunner in the 2022 Senate race, already said he is not inclined to run as Duterte’s vice president.

Robredo said she prefers to run for a second term as Naga mayor, while Aquino – who ranked second in 2025 – already ruled out running for vice president in 2028.

The OCTA poll had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.