Veteran actor Phillip Salvador, former senator Bam Aquino, and SAGIP party-list lawmaker Rodante Marcoleta have broken into the “probable winners” circle in Pulse Asia’s latest senatorial survey, signaling a shake-up in the race with just months to go before the May 2025 elections.
According to Pulse Asia’s March 23–29 poll results released Friday, Salvador ranked 11th to 17th with a voter preference of 30.9%, while Aquino (28.6%) and Marcoleta (28.3%) shared the 12th to 18th range. Their inclusion in the Top 18 positions places them within striking distance of the Senate’s coveted Magic 12.
Re-electionist Sen. Bong Go retained his lead, securing 61.9% voter support. ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who previously shared the top spot, dropped to third (51.1%) and tied with Sen. Bato dela Rosa (48.7%).
Former Senate President Tito Sotto followed in fourth (44.2%), while Senators Pia Cayetano, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Panfilo Lacson, along with TV host Willie Revillame, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, and Sen. Lito Lapid filled the 5th to 13th slots.
Ex-boxing champ Manny Pacquiao (32.0%) was in the 8th to 16th range, with Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar also slipping to the 12th to 18th range.
Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes said the survey reflects the dynamic shifts in voter sentiment, especially among administration-aligned candidates.
“We saw basically about six people in the administration slate, who are still in contention, seeing their numbers decline,” Holmes told ANC’s Dateline, citing Tulfo, Sotto, Revilla, Lapid, Pacquiao, and Villar.
Holmes added that Tulfo’s drop from a high of around 70% to just over 51% was concerning. “The decline has been more than 15 percentage points… So for him, it’s a question of arresting the decline in terms of the voting support.”
He also linked the rising popularity of Duterte-allied candidates like Go, Dela Rosa, Salvador, and Marcoleta to recent political developments, possibly alluding to the reported arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “That could have had an effect on why administration bets were losing support,” Holmes said.
The nationwide survey involved 2,400 respondents and had a ±2% margin of error. With the election fast approaching, Holmes noted that swing voters remain crucial: “Candidates still have a chance to make it to the Magic 12 by solidifying their base and courting the swing voters.”
