Sara Duterte Leads Presidential Surveys, Maintains Strong Approval Ratings

Vice President Sara Duterte continues to hold a commanding position in early surveys for the 2028 Philippine presidential race, while also remaining one of the country’s highest-rated government officials despite ongoing political controversies and challenges.

Recent national surveys show Duterte maintaining her status as a leading contender for the presidency, reinforcing her influence in Philippine politics more than two years before the next national elections. Analysts say her strong support base, particularly in Mindanao and parts of the Visayas, continues to play a major role in keeping her at the top of voter preference rankings.

According to the latest OCTA Research survey, Duterte secured 33 percent support in early presidential preference rankings, placing her ahead of other potential candidates. Former Vice President and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo followed with 21 percent, while Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Senator Raffy Tulfo trailed behind. Although Duterte’s lead has narrowed compared to previous surveys, she remains the frontrunner in the race.

In a separate hypothetical head-to-head presidential matchup conducted by OCTA Research, Duterte received 46 percent voter preference compared to Robredo’s 35 percent, with 19 percent of respondents remaining undecided. Survey analysts noted that while the race appears more competitive than before, Duterte continues to maintain a significant national advantage.

Other surveys have produced similar results. A WR Numero survey showed Duterte leading the 2028 presidential field with 36 percent support, followed by Senator Raffy Tulfo and Robredo. The findings suggest that Duterte remains the top choice among many Filipino voters despite increasing political competition.

Beyond election preferences, Duterte has also continued to post strong approval and satisfaction ratings. According to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, she remains the highest-rated among the country’s top government officials. The survey recorded a net satisfaction rating of +29, with 54 percent of adult Filipinos expressing satisfaction with her performance.

Political observers say Duterte’s ability to maintain strong public support despite controversies demonstrates the resilience of her political base. Over the past year, she has faced criticism, impeachment complaints, and growing political tensions involving the Marcos administration. However, recent surveys suggest that these issues have not significantly weakened her popularity among supporters.

Duterte formally announced her intention to run for president in the 2028 elections earlier this year, becoming one of the first major political figures to declare her plans publicly. Her announcement immediately intensified discussions about the future political landscape of the Philippines and the possibility of another Duterte presidency.

Meanwhile, analysts caution that the 2028 race remains far from settled. With more than two years remaining before the elections, political alliances, public sentiment, economic conditions, and future national issues could still significantly reshape voter preferences. Several surveys also show a considerable number of undecided voters, indicating that the political landscape remains fluid.

As political discussions continue to intensify nationwide, Sara Duterte’s consistent performance in both presidential preference and approval surveys highlights her position as one of the most influential figures in Philippine politics today. Whether she can maintain that momentum through 2028 remains one of the biggest questions in the country’s evolving political landscape.