Metro Manila, Philippines — The tandem of Leni Robredo and Raffy Tulfo edged out the tandem of Sara Duterte and Imee Marcos in the latest hypothetical 2028 presidential race survey conducted by OCTA Research.
The Q1 2026 Tugon ng Masa survey showed the Robredo–Tulfo tandem garnering 44% support nationwide, compared to 40% for the Duterte–Marcos tandem, while 16% of respondents remained undecided.
OCTA noted that this marks the first recorded instance in its comparable tandem surveys where a Robredo-led alliance numerically surpassed a Duterte–Marcos pairing in a direct hypothetical matchup.
The polling firm also highlighted the increasingly regionalized nature of the race, with the Robredo–Tulfo tandem dominating the National Capital Region at 61% and Balance Luzon at 57%.
The tandem also led in the Visayas with 48%, against 40% for Duterte–Marcos.
Meanwhile, the Duterte–Marcos tandem maintained overwhelming support in Mindanao, where it secured 86% preference, compared to only 5% for the Robredo–Tulfo tandem.
By socioeconomic class, Robredo–Tulfo performed strongest among Class D respondents with 47% support, while Duterte–Marcos led among Class E respondents with 51%.
OCTA said undecided voters remain a major factor in the evolving political landscape, particularly in Balance Luzon and among Class ABC respondents, where undecided rates reached 20% and 25%, respectively.
