Sen. Francis Escudero has formally requested that survey firms remove him from preference polls for the 2028 national elections, saying his inclusion distorts results and creates a false impression of his political intentions.
His office said the senator has “repeatedly and unequivocally stated he harbors no intention of seeking a higher elective post in the upcoming election cycle,” and that keeping his name on candidate lists “may not only fuel a misleading public narrative but also impact polling accuracy.”
Escudero argued that pre-election surveys serve their purpose only when they reflect those who are “actual or highly probable” candidates — a standard he says he does not meet.
The senator has not pursued the presidency or vice presidency since his unsuccessful vice presidential run in 2016. His office said he is currently focused on the passage of “critical economic legislation.”
So far, Vice President Sara Duterte is the only figure to have formally declared a presidential bid for 2028.
