‘Concerned’ Tolentino sees survey results as challenge: ‘I’ll just campaign’

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino speaks during one of the Senate investigations. (File photo from Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines—Reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino  admitted on Wednesday on being anxious about his rankings in various pre-election surveys.

Some surveys for the May 2025 senatorial race showed Tolentino, an administration candidate, outside the  “Magic 12.”

In the latest non-commissioned survey of Octa Research, however, the Senate majority leader ranked between 10th to 16th, with 38 percent voter preference.

“Ok naman. Challenge din sa ‘kin yun,”  Tolentino initially said at the Kapihan sa Senado when asked about his standing in the surveys.

(That’s ok. That’s also a challenge for me.)

Noting that he was “similarly situated” in the past, the senator said he would rather focus on his performance and what he could still offer to the public should he get reelected in May.

After all, he said, the final votes will still be counted on the day of election, which is on May 12.

When pressed, however, if he is worried about the recent survey results, Tolentino answered in the affirmative.

“Concerned ka rin, syempre, kasi sabi mo nga, baka mind-conditioning. Concerned tayo dun. At saka maraming ring taong concerned. Hindi lang ako,” he said.

(You are also concerned, of course, because as you said, it might be mind-conditioning. We are concerned about that. Also, many people are concerned. Not just me.)

Tolentino refused to comment on some opinions that poll surveys are only being released in favor of certain candidates.

“Sa akin, challenge nga e. Campaign lang. Performance,” the senator stressed.

(It’s a challenge for me. I’ll just campaign. Performance.)

(NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.)