MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Erwin Tulfo has taken the lead in the senatorial race, surpassing Senator Bong Go just days before the May 2025 midterm elections, according to the latest Stratbase-commissioned Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

The May 2 to 6 nationwide poll showed Tulfo (Lakas-CMD) topping the list of preferred senatorial candidates, with 45 percent of registered voters including him in their Magic 12. 

He edged out Go (PDP-Laban), who now ranks second with 43 percent.

Senate veteran Tito Sotto (NPC) followed closely in third place with 37 percent, while Lito Lapid (NPC) and broadcaster Ben Tulfo (Independent) were tied in fourth to fifth places with 34 percent each.

The latest rankings mark a shift in the race’s momentum, with Erwin Tulfo overtaking Go just as the official campaign period heads into its final stretch. The results were based on interviews with 1,800 registered voters nationwide, and used the Commission on Elections’ revised official ballot face featuring 66 candidates.

Former senator Ping Lacson (Independent) held sixth place with 32 percent, followed by Makati Mayor Abby Binay (NPC) and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (PDP-Laban), both tied at 31 percent.

Rounding out the top 12 are Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar (NP) and Senator Pia Cayetano (NP), tied at 30 percent, while Senators Bong Revilla (Lakas-CMD) and Imee Marcos (NP) were tied at 29 percent.

The survey’s margin of error is ±2.31 percent nationwide, with higher margins in regional breakdowns: ±3.27 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±5.66 percent for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Tulfo’s rise reflects a strong showing among voters despite past controversies surrounding his citizenship and eligibility. His resurgence underscores the public’s continued recall of his name and brand of service-oriented politics.

Meanwhile, the survey also noted that 5 percent of voters made invalid markings, and 1 percent either refused to answer, were undecided, or returned a blank ballot. Stray votes were recorded for Doc Willie Ong and Manoy Wilbert Lee, who had already withdrawn their candidacies.