Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and SAGIP partylist representative Rodante Marcoleta were picked out by various farmers’ groups as their top candidates among the senatorial bets for the forthcoming midterm elections.
Duterte topped the latest survey conducted from Feb. 5-9 by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI). He got 66.1% while landing second is Congressman Rodante Marcoleta with 58.2%.
Based on a separate interview, political observers noted that Marcoleta’s sudden rise to No. 2 was attributed to his project “Kiskisin mo Baby” — a nationwide campaign to rescue all rice farmers by forming a formula that may prevent hoarders and smugglers – believed to be behind the continuous rice price hikes.
On the other hand, it was late last year when former President Duterte announced his intention to run either as senator in 2025 or seek the nation’s second-highest post if his daughter, vice-president Sara Duterte, was impeached during the controversy on confidential fund. He made his presence felt anew.
Sen. Imee Marcos came in third with 58% followed by Sen. Francis Tolentino who came in fourth with 55.7% and tailing behind him is Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with 52.9%.
Other preferred senatorial bets were ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo for the 6th slot with 50.3% followed by former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, 45.9%; the boxing icon, former Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao, took the 8th slot with 44.5%, while Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, for the 9th with 40.4%. Former VP Leni Robredo took the 10th also with 40.4%, former Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno with 37.1% and Sen. Pia Cayetano with 35.9%, thus completing the Magic 12 or Top 12.
Meanwhile, among the other top choices were former President Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque, 50.3%; actor Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, 45.9%; followed by National Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo”Teodoro, 44.5%; former Sen. Richard Gordon, 40.4%; former vice presidential candidate, Dr. Willie Ong, 37.1%; Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, 35.9% and former VP Jejomar Binay, 33.9%.
There were 1,500 farmer respondents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and they were asked randomly as to their senatorial bets for 2025 midterm polls.
