By El Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — As the 2028 Philippine Senate elections loom, only four of the 12 seats whose terms expire in June 2028 are genuinely open to new contenders, while the remaining eight incumbents are eligible for reelection and may benefit from the advantages of incumbency.
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, senators can serve two consecutive six-year terms, after which they must step down.
This makes the seats of Win Gatchalian (NPC), Risa Hontiveros (Akbayan), Joel Villanueva (Independent), and Juan Miguel Zubiri (Independent) the only ones truly open for challengers in the next election (2028).
The other eight senators—Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, and Mark Villar—are eligible to run again, giving them a potential edge due to name recognition, legislative experience, and established political networks.
Political analysts say this combination of term-limited seats and returning incumbents will shape the 2028 Senate race, creating opportunities for fresh candidates while allowing experienced senators to consolidate their positions.
Key Takeaways:
Seats open for new contenders: 4 (Gatchalian, Hontiveros, Villanueva, Zubiri)
Incumbents eligible for reelection: 8 (Cayetano, Ejercito, Escudero, Estrada, Legarda, Padilla, Tulfo, Villar)
Term limits apply: 2 consecutive six-year terms per senator
Voters and political observers will closely watch which incumbents seek reelection and who will challenge the four truly open Senate seats in 2028.
