Former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has thrown his support behind Sen. Risa Hontiveros for president in the 2028 national elections, as the opposition looks for a potential standard-bearer following Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo’s decision not to run for the presidency again.
Robredo said in a local radio interview that her allies have been urging her to seek the presidency, but stressed that she had already made up her mind and that nothing could persuade her to run again, as she intends to remain in local politics.
“Parang ayoko na talagang bumalik sa national. Sa tingin ko mas bagay ako na sa local,” Robredo said.
Trillanes, a longtime critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and supporter of Robredo’s 2022 presidential campaign, has backed Hontiveros, who has gained national attention through her Senate investigations into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), human trafficking, and dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Despite her national visibility, Hontiveros remains far behind other potential presidential contenders in early preference surveys.
In Pulse Asia’s nationwide survey conducted from Sept. 17 to 24, Vice President Sara Duterte led the 2028 presidential preferences with 50%, followed by Robredo at 26% and Sen. Raffy Tulfo at 12%. Hontiveros ranked fourth with 3%, while Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon each received 1%. The survey covered 2,400 respondents and had a ±2-percentage-point margin of error.
A separate October 2026 WR Numero Research survey also showed Duterte leading with 42.4%, followed by Robredo at 15.9%, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte at 6.9%, and Tulfo at 6.7%. Hontiveros registered 2% in the multi-candidate presidential preference poll.
Meanwhile, OCTA Research’s third-quarter Tugon ng Masa survey, conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, showed Sara Duterte leading Robredo by seven percentage points in a hypothetical one-on-one presidential matchup, 40% to 33%. Another 26% were undecided or selected neither candidate, while 1% refused to answer.
