Philippines – Two sons of former President Rodrigo Duterte are shaping up as serious contenders for the 2028 Senate race. Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte both cracked the top seven in the newest nationwide senatorial preference poll, signaling that the family’s political weight remains strong heading into the next midterm elections.
What the Numbers Show
According to the survey results released by Tangere, Baste placed second overall with 37.0% voter preference. He trailed only Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who topped the list at 42.1%. His older brother Pulong landed in seventh spot with 31.6%, keeping both siblings firmly inside the upper tier of the 75-name field.
Here’s how the leading names stacked up:
- Vico Sotto — 42.1% (1st)
- Sebastian “Baste” Duterte — 37.0% (2nd)
- Robin Padilla — 36.0% (4th)
- Alan Peter Cayetano — 32.3% (6th)
- Paolo “Pulong” Duterte — 31.6% (7th)
Baste’s showing stood out for another reason. He picked up 2.7 percentage points compared to the previous round, pushing him even closer to the top of the pack.
A Strong Duterte-Aligned Bloc
The bigger story goes beyond the two brothers. Tangere’s data shows that four figures tied to the wider Duterte political camp occupied four of the survey’s first seven positions. Alongside Baste and Pulong, Senator Robin Padilla ranked fourth at 36.0%, while Alan Peter Cayetano came in sixth with 32.3%.
That kind of clustering points to a bloc that could carry real momentum into 2028. For Filipinos watching from abroad, the results offer an early read on how the political landscape might take shape well ahead of the campaign season.
Further down the list, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc was flagged by Tangere as another name on the rise, adding one more Duterte-era personality to the group of candidates gaining ground.
How the Survey Was Done
The poll was non-commissioned, meaning no candidate or group paid for it. Tangere conducted the survey from August 12 to 15, 2026, gathering responses from 2,400 respondents across the country. It carried a margin of error of ±1.96% at a 95% confidence level.
With more than a year to go before official campaigning begins, these figures remain a snapshot rather than a final verdict. Still, the early standing of the Duterte brothers gives OFWs and voters back home plenty to follow in the months ahead.