EX-PRESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the man to beat in the 2025 Senate race, as he was picked out by various farmers’ groups among the senatorial bets for the forthcoming midterm elections.
The erstwhile Philippine president topped the latest survey conducted from Feb. 5-9 by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI). Landing second is SAGIP partylist representative Rodante Marcoleta and Sen. Imee Marcos came in third.
Marcos was followed by Sen. Francis Tolentino who came in fourth, followed by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Other preferred senatorial bets were ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo for the 6th slot, followed by former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the boxing icon, former Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, took the 8th slot, while Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, for the 9th. Former VP Leni Robredo took the 10th, former Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno and Sen. Pia Cayetano, completed the Magic 12 or Top 12.
Meanwhile, among the other top choices were former President Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque; actor Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, followed by National Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo”Teodoro; former Sen. Richard Gordon; former vice presidential candidate, Dr. Willie Ong; Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and former VP Jejomar Binay.
There were 1,500 farmer respondents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and they were asked randomly as to their senatorial bets for 2025 midterm polls.
Based on a separate interview, political observers noted that Marcoleta’s sudden rise to No. 2 was attributed to his project “Kiskisin mo Baby” — a nationwide campaign to rescue all rice farmers by forming a formula that may prevent hoarders and smugglers – believed to be behind the continuous rice price hikes.
On the other hand, it was late last year when former President Duterte announced his intention to run either as senator in 2025 or seek the nation’s second-highest post if his daughter, vice-president Sara Duterte, was impeached during the controversy on confidential fund. He made his presence felt anew.
Meanwhile, it’s not surprising that President Bongbong Marcos’ eldest sister is so popular. Aside from being known as “Super Ate ng Pangulo” (SAP), Sen. Imee is also known to oppose some policies of her brother.
Many political pundits, however, also noted that it’s still too early to conclude on survey results. They said that “anything can still happen between now and 2025.”