Joseph Azil Buena

Nine out of the 12 contested Senate seats in the 2025 midterm elections may be secured by candidates from the political coalition endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the independent polling body Pulse Asia Research Inc. in its new November-December release.


The Ulat ng Bayan survey, which ran from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, polled 2,400 adult Filipinos for their voting preferences among 66 senatorial candidates ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

On the first top two spots were both television-radio personalities as ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo maintains his lead with 62.2 per cent and former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III who gained traction now with 59.2 per cent in the polls.

Two other candidates from the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas also ranked within the Top 5-9 spots as incumbent senators Pia Cayetano had 46.5 per cent of the polling numbers and Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with 45 per cent.

Both close Marcos allies former senator Ping Lacson and reelectionist Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also placed in the polls with 44.1 per cent and 43.5 per cent, respectively, placing them between the fifth to tenth Senate spots.

The other Bagong Pilipinas alliance senatorial bets who may slip into the Senate Magic 12 include Makati Mayor Abby Binay, reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid, and House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar.

Of the 12 endorsed candidates by the president, only two failed to break into the Top 12 spots as former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos placed around Top 16-18, while Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino was ranked lower at Top 19-20. 

Initially a member of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, presidential sister Imee Marcos who placed in the Top 10-14, has withdrawn herself from her brother’s alliance in September, saying she wants to shield her friends and family ‘from getting hurt’.

Also joining the prospect Magic 12 for a ‘Duterte-opposition’ are close allies of the former president and reelectionists Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Two independent candidates also slipped through the early polls as another Tulfo brother and radio personality Bienvenido "Ben” Tulfo placed through Top 3 or 4, and television host Willie Revillame was at seen in the Top 5 to 10 Senate seats.

If these survey results hold until the 2025 midterm elections, the winning administration-backed candidates could form a majority in the Senate for the 20th Congress, which will serve until the end of Marcos’ term in 2028.
In the 2022 national elections, six out of the 12 candidates endorsed by President Marcos Jr.’s UniTeam coalition secured Senate seats, including Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Robinhood Padilla, Loren Legarda, Mark Villar, and Jinggoy Estrada.