Mark Lapid, chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), has emerged as one of the preferred senatorial candidates in a new non-commissioned survey conducted by OCTA Research for the 2028 elections. Lapid joins prominent public officials in the latest ranking, reflecting the shifting landscape of voter preferences as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.
The survey, which interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide using probability-based sampling, found Senators Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, and Alan Peter Cayetano, along with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, statistically tied at the top of the list for prospective Senate hopefuls. Former senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte followed closely, each earning a 36% voting preference, while Senator Loren Legarda registered at 31%.
Rounding out the top choices are former Makati mayor Abby Binay (29%), Mark Lapid (28%), Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero (27%), Education Secretary Sonny Angara (25%), National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Manny Pacquiao (25%), journalist Ben Tulfo (23%), and Senator Jinggoy Estrada (22%). These candidates now occupy the competitive ranks within the preliminary top 12 senatorial preferences, according to OCTA.
OCTA researchers emphasized the competitiveness of the field, pointing out the overlapping rank ranges and statistical ties among those filling the “last available slots.” Former senator Koko Pimentel, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, Senator Mark Villar, former senator Gringo Honasan, and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino were also found “within the broad statistical range,” with support from 18% to 20% of respondents.
When asked recently if he will consider running for the Senate in 2028, Lapid remained noncommittal, saying, “Right now there’s no decision yet. Wag muna kasi focus kami sa trabaho to finish yung mga development ng tourism destinations kasi nga tumataas yung prices natin at bumababa yung tourist arrival.” He stressed his current commitment to supporting the country’s tourism sector during a challenging period.
Lapid, who served as Pampanga governor from 2004 to 2007, holds a Master’s in Development Management from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and a doctorate degree. He was first appointed to TIEZA, then known as the Philippine Tourism Authority, in 2008. This extensive background in public service drives his strong standing among voters.
Reflecting on the values he learned from his father, Senator Lito Lapid, the younger Lapid explained, “Sipag at yung dedication sa trabaho. Yung tatay ko kasi lumaki yan sa hirap, ‘di ba? For him, to be given the opportunity na sumikat at umangat, hindi niya tini-take for granted itong gift na ibinigay sa kanya ng Panginoon. When you serve, hindi siya dapat passion lang, dapat may malasakit ka talaga at yung dedication mo to serve is there.”
When asked if he would bring a different approach if given a chance to serve in the Senate, Mark Lapid said, “I wouldn’t say different but an improved version dahil pinag-aral niya ako. Yung kanyang mga pagkukulang na hindi niya nakuha dahil sa kahirapan, he was able to provide it to us sa aming mga anak at pamilya niya.”
With a ±3 percentage-point margin of error at the 95% confidence level, the OCTA survey underscores a tightly contested race for the Senate in 2028—one where Lapid’s visibility and experience leave him well-positioned among the country’s leading candidates.