Calleja Names Ideal 2028 Tandem vs Sara Duterte: Robredo With Tulfo or Gibo Teodoro

In a recent ANC 24/7 "Beyond the Exchange" interview, 1Sambayan convenor Atty. Howard Calleja laid out what the opposition coalition believes is the strongest ticket to challenge Vice President Sara Duterte in the May 8, 2028 presidential election: Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo paired with either Senator Raffy Tulfo or former defense secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro. The recommendation comes as fresh OCTA Research data shows a hypothetical Robredo-Tulfo tandem statistically tied with a Duterte-Imee Marcos ticket, a development that could reshape how Filipino voters — from jeepney drivers in Quezon City to farmers in Negros — view their options in the next national polls.

1Sambayan's Calleja Names Ideal 2028 Tandem vs. Sara Duterte: Robredo with Tulfo or Gibo Teodoro

Manila, Philippines – August 2026 — In the 88th episode of ABS-CBN News Channel's "Beyond the Exchange," veteran anchor Rico Hizon pressed 1Sambayan convenor Howard Calleja on the opposition's strategy against Vice President Sara Duterte, who declared her presidential bid in February 2026. Calleja, a lawyer and convenor of the multi-sectoral coalition, named Mayor Leni Robredo as the ideal standard bearer, with Senator Raffy Tulfo or former defense secretary Gibo Teodoro as running mate. The interview aired as the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte entered its 16th day, with confidential funds and AMLC-flagged transactions cited as "damning" evidence against her.

The OCTA Numbers — A Statistical Dead Heat

The OCTA Research "Tugon ng Masa" survey, conducted July 4-11 and released on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, shows a hypothetical Robredo-Tulfo tandem leading with 45 percent support against 42 percent for a Duterte-Imee Marcos ticket. The remaining 13 percent of respondents said none, don't know, or refused to answer. The nationwide survey of 1,200 respondents, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percent, marks a slight uptick from March, when Robredo-Tulfo held 44 percent and Duterte-Marcos 40 percent.

OCTA stated that "the central implication of the results is that Robredo-Tulfo and Duterte-Marcos are now statistically in a dead heat." The research group added that with 13 percent of the electorate still undecided, "a meaningful share of voters have yet to commit to either side, leaving real room for the national picture to move further in either direction before 2028."

The Candidates' Own Positions — A Complicated Picture

Among the four names in the leading tandems, only Vice President Sara Duterte has formally declared her intention to run for higher office in 2028. Mayor Robredo has repeatedly ruled out another presidential bid, stating she prefers to run for a second term as Naga City mayor. Senator Tulfo has likewise said he does not intend to seek higher office in 2028. This gap between public sentiment and declared intentions creates a volatile political landscape, where the opposition's ideal ticket may not materialize without significant persuasion.

Calleja acknowledged this complexity in the ANC interview, noting that 1Sambayan's own 2028 standard bearer could be Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Bam Aquino, or Gibo Teodoro. He also revealed that the coalition is not closing doors on an administration-opposition 2028 ticket, a significant departure from the hardline opposition stance of previous cycles. Calleja emphasized that 1Sambayan is "not seeking regime change, only accountability for corruption," and aims to support one presidential candidate in 2028.

Philippine Context — The Impeachment Trial and Its Shadow

The survey results land amid the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte, now on Day 16 as of August 17, 2026. Calleja described the confidential funds and AMLC-flagged dealings as "damning" evidence against the Vice President, and in a pointed Filipino phrase, said of Senator Bato Dela Rosa: "Hanapin natin saang bato siya nagtatago" — "Let's find which rock he is hiding under." The trial has dominated political discourse in Metro Manila and beyond, with sari-sari store televisions in provinces from Cebu to Ilocos tuned to the proceedings.

The 1Sambayan coalition, founded in March 2021 by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, formally began its selection process for a presidential and vice presidential tandem on June 12, 2021. With about 50 member organizations representing millions of members, the coalition nominated Robredo as its 2022 presidential candidate, though she ultimately ran as an independent. In the 2025 midterm elections, 1Sambayan endorsed eight Senate candidates and seven party-list bets, chosen based on their stance on the West Philippine Sea, good governance, transparency, accountability, and opposition to political dynasties.

Impact on Filipinos — What This Means for Voters

For ordinary Filipinos, the statistical tie between Robredo-Tulfo and Duterte-Marcos signals that the 2028 election is genuinely competitive, a departure from the perceived inevitability of a Duterte presidency. The 13 percent undecided bloc — roughly 156 respondents in the survey, but potentially millions of voters nationwide — holds the key to the outcome. These are likely voters who are watching the impeachment trial closely, weighing issues of corruption and accountability against the Vice President's continued popularity in Mindanao and parts of the Visayas.

The economic dimension cannot be ignored. A Robredo-Tulfo victory would likely mean continuity of the current administration's economic policies, given Tulfo's popularity among the working class and Robredo's track record in Naga City governance. A Duterte-Marcos ticket, by contrast, would represent a return to the Duterte brand of leadership, with Imee Marcos providing the political machinery of the Ilocos region. For OFWs in the Middle East and Europe, who follow Philippine politics through online streams of ANC and other channels, the choice between these tandems could determine the direction of labor policies and consular services for years to come.

Reactions and Responses — The Political Chessboard

The survey results have triggered a flurry of reactions across the political spectrum. Senator Erwin Tulfo met with Mayor Robredo on August 2, 2026, fueling speculation about a possible tandem, though he had earlier said "I'm tired" when asked about a 2028 run with Robredo in February 2026. The camps of Senators Risa Hontiveros and Bam Aquino are reportedly "seriously" working toward 2028 runs, according to supporters and former officials like Florencio Abad and Teddy Baguilat.

Other polling firms paint a more complex picture. An earlier OCTA Tugon ng Masa survey from August 5, 2026 showed Sara Duterte still leading Robredo in a one-on-one 2028 matchup, though the lead has narrowed since the first quarter. Pulse Asia's July 22 survey still had Sara as the preferred presidential bet for May 2028, while Momentum Research's August 11 data showed Sara holding a wide lead among presidential bets, with Raffy Tulfo leading the vice presidential race. These divergent numbers suggest that the race remains fluid, with the impeachment trial's outcome potentially shifting voter sentiment significantly.

What to Watch For

The coming months will be critical. The Senate impeachment trial's conclusion — whether it results in conviction or acquittal — will likely reshape the 2028 landscape. If convicted, Sara Duterte would be barred from holding public office, potentially throwing the opposition's calculations into disarray. If acquitted, she would enter the campaign season with renewed momentum, though the confidential funds and AMLC evidence may continue to dog her candidacy.

For 1Sambayan, the challenge is translating survey numbers into an actual, declared ticket. Calleja's openness to an administration-opposition coalition suggests a pragmatic shift, but whether Robredo can be persuaded to abandon her stated preference for the Naga City mayor's office remains an open question. The coalition's aim to support one presidential candidate in 2028 — rather than splitting the opposition vote as in past cycles — will test its organizational strength and the patience of its member organizations.

The 13 percent undecided voters are the ultimate arbiters. As the impeachment trial unfolds and campaign season approaches, their attention will be captured by the daily news cycle — from the halls of the Senate to the plazas of Naga City. For Filipino families gathering around their television sets after work, the choice in 2028 will be about more than personalities; it will be about accountability, governance, and the direction of a nation still recovering from the economic scars of the pandemic and the ongoing challenges of food security and job creation. The statistical dead heat is not just a polling curiosity — it is a reflection of a deeply divided electorate, waiting for clarity before committing to a future.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: ANC 24/7, OCTA Research, Philstar.com.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer