Duterte-backed Senate candidates lead 2025 poll

Following former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC), candidates aligned with him have seen a significant rise in voter support for the upcoming 2025 senatorial elections, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. Senator Christopher Go leads with 61.9% of voter preference, followed by Erwin Tulfo at 51.1% and Ronald dela Rosa with 48.7%. Despite this surge, a majority of Filipinos, approximately 62%, believe Duterte should face trial for his alleged crimes against humanity, reflecting a complex relationship between voter preferences and public opinion on accountability. Political analysts suggest that these conflicting views indicate voters can support candidates while still advocating for justice regarding Duterte's controversial policies. The survey, conducted with 2,400 respondents, indicates a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±2%. As the election approaches, the diverging sentiments about Duterte's legacy and his allies' candidacies present a challenging landscape for Filipino voters.