MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidates Bong Go and Erwin Tulfo are leading the race for the 2025 elections, according to the latest Stratbase-SWS National Survey.

The survey results, conducted from March 15 to 20, 2025, released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) upon sponsor authorization on Wednesday, show that Go, of PDP-Laban, and Tulfo, of Lakas-CMD, are tied for the top spot with 42 percent of voter preferences each.

“Among registered voters, Go, Bong Go (PDPLBN) and Tulfo, Erwin (LAKAS), tied in 1st -2nd place with 42 percent of intended votes each, lead the list of 12 possible winners for Senator of the Philippines for the 2025 elections,” SWS said in a statement.

Following closely are independent candidate Ben “Bitag” Tulfo and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) stalwart Tito Sotto, tied in third to fourth place with 34% each. Actor-turned-senator Lito Lapid (NPC) lands in fifth place with 33%, while former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Lakas-CMD) secures sixth place with 32%.

Cayetano, Pia (Nacionalista Party) and Lacson, Ping (Independent) are tied in seventh to eighth place with 31% each. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (PDP-Laban) takes ninth place with 30%, while television host Willie Revillame (Independent) secures the tenth spot with 28%. Meanwhile, Abby Binay (NPC), Manny Pacquiao (PFP), and Camille Villar (NP) are tied in 11th to 13th place with 27% each.

“The rankings have remained largely consistent since the February 2025 survey, with most of the top 12 candidates maintaining their positions,” SWS noted. “The only exception is Lito Lapid, who previously ranked third but has now dropped to fifth place.”

Other Notable Candidates

Former senator Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) ranks 14th with 24%, while ex-senator Bam Aquino (KNP) follows in 15th place with 21%. Incumbent senator Imee Marcos (NP) holds the 16th spot with 19%, trailed by actor Phillip Salvador (PDP-Laban) with 18%. Rounding out the top 20 are Benhur Abalos (PFP) with 17%, Gringo Honasan (RP) with 15%, Francis Tolentino (PFP) with 13%, and retired police officer Colonel Bosita (Independent) with 12%.

The survey also recorded single-digit support for several candidates, including former congressman Rodante Marcoleta (9%), Atty. Vic Rodriguez (7%), and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy (6%). Meanwhile, activist candidates from left-leaning groups such as France Castro, Teddy Casiño, and Luke Espiritu garnered minimal support, ranging from 1% to 4%.

Votes cast for Doc Willie Ong (18%) and Wilbert Lee (1%) were considered stray, as both had withdrawn from the senatorial race prior to the survey period.

The Stratbase-SWS March 2025 National Survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,800 registered voters nationwide. The sample distribution included 300 respondents from Metro Manila, 900 from Balance Luzon, 300 from the Visayas, and 300 from Mindanao. The survey has a ±2.31% margin of error for national percentages, with higher margins for specific regions.

Respondents were given an official ballot containing a list of 66 candidates based on the revised template released by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). They were instructed to select up to 12 candidates privately before submitting their ballots to field interviewers.

The survey also recorded that 7% of respondents either refused to answer, were undecided, or left their ballots blank. Additionally, 6% of ballots contained invalid markings, such as overvotes or improperly shaded ovals.