Pro-Duterte Candidates Rise in Latest 2025 Senate Polls

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Two national surveys released Friday, April 11, show a surge in support for candidates aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte following his March arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The latest Philippine Public Opinion Monitor (PPOM) by research firm WR Numero placed ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo at the top with 43.4 percent, followed closely by re-electionist Sen. Bong Go at 41.9 percent.

In the March 2025 Pulse Asia survey, Go led with 61.1 percent, followed by Tulfo with 51.1 percent.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, another Duterte ally seeking a second term, ranked third in both polls, garnering 38.7 percent in the WR Numero survey and 48.7 percent in Pulse Asia.

Both surveys were conducted after Duterte’s ICC arrest — WR Numero from March 31 to April 7 and Pulse Asia from March 23 to 29.

Go, Duterte’s former special assistant, climbed seven spots in the PPOM since February and maintained his lead in Pulse Asia, overtaking Tulfo in the same month.

Dela Rosa, Duterte’s former police and corrections chief, rose five spots in WR Numero and two spots in Pulse Asia, where he ranked between 4th to 7th.

Other Duterte-aligned candidates also gained momentum, including SAGIP Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, actor Philip Salvador, and former administration official Jimmy Bondoc.

Salvador climbed six spots in WR Numero, placing between 15th to 17th, and improved in Pulse Asia, ranking between 11th and 17th.

Marcoleta broke into the top 12 in Pulse Asia, ranking 12th to 18th, up from 20th to 21st in February, and rose five spots in WR Numero to 18th-19th.

Bondoc, though still outside the winning circle, rose three spots in WR Numero and ranked 19th to 22nd in Pulse Asia, up from 22nd to 23rd.

Other pro-Duterte figures who gained traction in Pulse Asia include former Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez, detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and lawyers Jayvee Hinlo and Raul Lambino, along with Dr. Richard Mata.

In contrast, candidates from the pro-administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate showed mixed results.

WR Numero indicated drops for re-electionists Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Bong Revilla, along with former Senate President Tito Sotto, though all remained within the top 12.

In Pulse Asia, Cayetano improved her ranking while Sotto and Revilla slipped slightly but stayed in the winning circle.

Sen. Imee Marcos, the president’s sister, remained outside the top 12, ranking 15th to 17th in WR Numero and 14th in Pulse Asia.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, formerly aligned with Duterte but now with Marcos Jr., continued to decline, placing 19th to 22nd in Pulse Asia and falling out of WR Numero’s top 24.

Former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan retained a fighting chance, both holding top 12 positions in WR Numero.

Aquino entered the top 12 in Pulse Asia, while Pangilinan improved to 14th to 18th from 15th to 17th in February.