2028 Philippine Senate election

2028 Philippine Senate election
May 8, 2028 (2028-05-08)
12 (of the 24) seats to the Senate of the Philippines
13 seats needed for a majority
Composition of the Senate before the election, with the seats up for election inside the box.
Incumbent Senate President

Tito Sotto
NPC



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The 2028 Philippine Senate election will be the 36th election of members to the Senate of the Philippines. It is scheduled to be held on May 8, 2028, within the 2028 Philippine general election. The seats of the 12 senators elected in 2022 were going to be contested in this election. The senators who will be elected in this election will serve until 2034, joining the winners of the 2025 election to form the Senate's delegation to the 21st Congress of the Philippines, with the senators elected in 2025 serving until 2031.

Background

See also: 2025 Philippine Senate election and 20th Congress of the Philippines

In the 2025 election, the administration slate Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas backed by president Bongbong Marcos won a plurality of the seats in the Philippine Senate.[1] Leading up to the opening of the 20th Congress, Senator-elect Tito Sotto expressed his openness to becoming Senate president if he has sufficient support to be elected.[2] Sotto previously held this position from 2018 to 2022. On May 17, Sotto revealed that a number of Senators have expressed their support for his return to the senate presidency.[3] In response, Senate President Francis Escudero, who has held the position since 2024, said it is up to the majority on who will lead the Senate in the next Congress.[4] On July 28, 2025, Escudero was re-elected to his position, garnering 19 votes, defeating Sotto's 5 votes.[5][6] On September 8, 2025, Sotto reclaimed the presidency after garnering enough votes to oust Escudero.[7]

Electoral system

Main article: Philippine Senate elections

The Philippines has a 24-member Senate elected at-large. Every three years since 1995, 12 seats are contested. For 2028, the seats last elected in 2022 will be contested. Each voter has 12 votes, of which one can vote for one to twelve candidates, or a multiple non-transferable vote; the twelve candidates with the most votes are elected.

Senators are limited to serving two consecutive terms, although they are eligible for a third (and succeeding) non-consecutive term.[8] Only half of the seats are up in every senatorial election.[9] The winning Senators will succeed those elected in 2022, and will join those elected in 2025 to form the 21st Congress.

Each party or coalition endorses a slate of candidates, typically not exceeding a 12-person ticket.[10] A party may also choose to invite "guest candidates" to complete its slate. [11] The party may even include, with the candidates' consent, independent candidates and candidates from other parties as the party's guest candidates. Parties also may form coalitions to endorse a multi-party slate of candidates.

Winning candidates are proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC). The NBOC usually proclaims Senators-elect by batches, if that candidate can no longer fall to worse than twelfth place in the tally. Post-proclamation disputes are handled by the Senate Electoral Tribunal, a body composed of six Senators and three justices from the Supreme Court.

As this election is held concurrently with a presidential election, presidential candidates may present a senatorial ticket of candidates.

Term-limited and retiring incumbents

Term-limited incumbents

The following are serving a successive six-year term and are barred from seeking reelection:

  1. Win Gatchalian (NPC), intent unknown
    Gatchalian is seen as a potential vice presidential candidate for 2028.[12][13]
  2. Risa Hontiveros (Akbayan), intent unknown
    Hontiveros is speculated to be candidate for the presidency in 2028.[14][15][13][16] She is also seen as a potential vice presidential candidate.[17]
  3. Joel Villanueva (Independent), retiring from politics
    Villanueva said that he is retiring from public office in 2028.[18]
  4. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Independent), retiring from politics
    Zubiri announced that he will not run for public office in 2028.[19]

Retiring incumbents

The following senator's term is ending in 2028, is eligible to run, but plans to retire:

  1. Robin Padilla (PDP), retiring from politics
    Padilla stated that he is retiring in 2028 after his first term.[20]

Marginal seats

These are the marginal seats that had a winning margin of 5% or less against the 13th placed candidate in the 2022 election, in ascending order via margin:

Incumbent Party 2022 margin 2028 results
Jinggoy Estrada PMP 3.32% Incumbent intent unknown
Risa Hontiveros Akbayan 3.88% Incumbent term-limited[21]
JV Ejercito NPC 4.64% Incumbent intent unknown

Participating parties

See also: List of political parties in the Philippines

In both chambers of Congress, members are organized into "blocs", akin to parliamentary groups elsewhere. In keeping with the traditions of the Third Philippine Republic which was under a two-party system, there are two main blocs, the majority and minority blocs; this is although the country is now in a multi-party system. Those who voted for the Senate President are from the majority bloc, while those who did not (if there are more than two candidates for the Senate Presidency) will vote amongst themselves on who will be the minority bloc. Those who belong to neither bloc shall be the independent minority bloc. Members can also be from the independent bloc.[22] Each bloc can have members from multiple parties. Only the majority and minority blocs have voting privileges in committees.

Parties in the Senate at the end of the 20th Congress of the Philippines
Party Current seats Bloc membership Political affiliation
Up Not Up Total Majority Minority 2025 2028
NPC 4 2
6 / 24
 Most One Alyansa TBA
Nacionalista 1 3
4 / 24
 Most One Alyansa TBA
PDP 1 2
3 / 24
 None All DuterTen TBA
Akbayan 1 0
1 / 24
 One None KiBam TBA
KANP 0 1
1 / 24
 One None KiBam TBA
Lakas 0 1
1 / 24
 One None Alyansa TBA
Liberal 0 1
1 / 24
 One None KiBam TBA
PMP 1 0
1 / 24
 None One N/a TBA
Independent 4 2
6 / 24
 Split Split N/a
Total 12 12 24 / 24

Candidates

Declared

The following individuals have publicly declared their intention to run for the Senate in the 2028 elections:

Potential

The following individuals have not officially declared their candidacy but are seen as likely contenders or have expressed interest in running:

Declined

Opinion polls

Before filing of candidacies

# Jul 18–20, 2025
Tangere[38][39]
1 Sotto 61.00
2 R. Tulfo 55.26
3 Poe 46.05
4 Escudero 37.66
5 Legarda 37.00
6 Duterte 36.57
7 Cayetano 34.80
8 B. Tulfo 32.22
9 Padilla 30.08
10 Abalos 29.00
11 Angara 27.65
12 Bong Revilla 26.74
13 Gatchalian 25.87
14 Estrada 25.00
15 Binay 24.60

References

  1. ^ "Comelec proclaims Senate winners". inquirer.net. Associated Press, Inquirer. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  2. ^ Magsambol, Bonz (May 16, 2025). "Will Tito Sotto lead the Senate in the 20th Congress?". rappler.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Ramos, Marlon (May 17, 2025). "Tito Sotto says 4 peers urging his return as Senate president". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Garner, Jom (May 15, 2025). "Chiz: Senate presidency up to majority". tribune.net.ph. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Ager, Maila (July 28, 2025). "Escudero remains Senate president". inquirer.net. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Magsambol, Bonz (July 28, 2025). "Chiz Escudero elected again as Senate president". rappler.com. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Mangaluz, Jean (September 8, 2025). "Tito Sotto assumes Senate presidency after Escudero's ouster". philstar.com. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Term of Office and Privileges". senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  9. ^ Samonte, Severino. "Why only 12 are elected every 3 years for the 24-member Senate?". pna.gov.ph. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  10. ^ "Election for Senado (Philippine Senate)". electionguide.org. Election Guide. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Quezon, Manuel L. III (May 11, 2013). "The Great Divide: The midterm election of 2013 (Part 1)". quezon.ph. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Jimenez, Josephus (March 6, 2023). "The administration's bet in 2028 won't be Inday Sara". philstar.com. The Freeman. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Lopez, Tony (May 17, 2025). "The president in 2028". philstar.com. The Freeman. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  14. ^ Ager, Maila (July 2, 2024). "Hontiveros: I'm not yet considering running for president in 2028". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  15. ^ Heydarian, Richard (August 6, 2024). "Risa Hontiveros: Road to presidency". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  16. ^ Abarca, Charie (May 21, 2025). "Risa Hontiveros 'open' to be opposition standard-bearer in 2028". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  17. ^ "VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Circulating graphic of Kiko-Risa tandem for the 2028 elections NOT OFFICIAL". verafiles.org. Vera Files. November 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "Kapihan sa Senado: Senator Joel Villanueva". senate.gov.ph. Senate of the Philippines. April 29, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Abarca, Charie (April 1, 2024). "Zubiri on vice presidency: 'I will not be running for any public office in 2028'". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Robin Padilla mulls exit from politics in 2028: 'Hindi ako sasama sa sinking ship'". politiko.com. Atty. Karen Jimeno. March 31, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  21. ^ Bernardo, Jaehwa (May 10, 2022). "Hontiveros is sole opposition in Senate Magic 12 race, Padilla keeps lead". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  22. ^ Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (July 25, 2022). "4 senators opt out of majority bloc, to be minority or 'independent'". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  23. ^ Villaruel, Jauhn Etienne (May 9, 2024). "'Frontrunner' Tulfo to seek Senate reelection 'at most' in 2028". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  24. ^ Pasajol, Anne (November 7, 2025). "Anjo Yllana hints at plan to run for senator". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d Tordesillas, Ellen (May 18, 2025). "Sara Duterte impeachment trial: first round in the 2028 presidential contest". verafiles.org. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  26. ^ Ramos-Araneta, Macon (May 28, 2024). "Escudero: No plans to run for President, VP in 2028". manilastandard.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  27. ^ Valmonte, Kaycee (May 9, 2025). "For the Villars, everything is a family business". rappler.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  28. ^ a b c "Maybe Next Time". facebook.com. Philippine Star. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  29. ^ "Revenge of the Woke". facebook.com. Daily Tribune. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  30. ^ Cabalza, Dexter (May 14, 2025). "Akbayan tops party list race; Bayan Muna faces delisting". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  31. ^ "Chel Diokno posible pa ring tumakbo bilang senador". abante.com. Abante News. May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  32. ^ a b Ronquillo, Marlen (May 21, 2025). "Heidi and Luke: The Kiko-Bam of the next election". manilatimes.net. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  33. ^ "Pitch for Cielo Magno: Senator 2028". facebook.com. Nutribun Republic. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  34. ^ Verano, Ramon Franco (May 6, 2025). "FACT CHECK: Post links Pasig City hall project to Vico Sotto 2028 Senate bid without proof". rappler.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  35. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (June 30, 2025). "Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto rules out political bid in 2028: 'I will not run'". inquirer.net. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  36. ^ Abadilla, Bench (September 19, 2024). "From San Juan to Senate in 2028? Francis Zamora's jump to PFP sparks buzz". politiko.com.ph. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  37. ^ Salcedo, Mary Joy (May 20, 2025). "Manila Mayor-elect Isko Moreno vows not to run for higher post in 2028". inquirer.net. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  38. ^ "Vico Sotto tops 2028 senatorial bets". BusinessWorld. July 24, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  39. ^ "Vico Sotto dominates early 2028 Senate race survey with 61%—research firm". Manila Bulletin. July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
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