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2025 Philippine Senate election
35th Philippine senatorial election From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2025 Philippine Senate election was the 35th election of members to the Senate of the Philippines. It was held on May 12, 2025, within the 2025 Philippine general election. The seats of the 12 senators elected in 2019 were contested in this election. The senators who will be elected in this election will serve until 2031, joining the winners of the 2022 election to form the Senate's delegation to the 20th Congress of the Philippines, with the senators elected in 2022 serving until 2028.
The election was shaped by several key issues, including employment and food security, concerns over the quality of public services such as healthcare, water, and education, and the demand for stronger anti-corruption measures and government accountability.[1][2][3] Additionally, the impeachment of vice president Sara Duterte and the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte heightened political tensions, particularly between the Marcos and Duterte families.[4]
The ruling administration of president Bongbong Marcos formed the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, composed of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas, Nacionalista, National Unity Party (NUP), and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), to contest the election. The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, aligned with former president Duterte and the vice president, endorsed DuterTen. In the traditional opposition, Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan ran together under the Liberal-backed KiBam umbrella, whereas Makabayan fielded a full slate branded as the Oposisyon ng Bayan.[5] The Alyansa won six seats against the DuterTen's three, plus two guest candidates, while both KiBam candidates won.
In the Senate presidential election, Francis Escudero defeated fellow NPC member Tito Sotto to keep the Senate presidency.
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Background
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Migz Zubiri served as Senate president until his resignation on May 20, 2024, after which Francis Escudero took over.
In the 2022 election, the UniTeam, backing the candidacies of eventual president Bongbong Marcos and vice president Sara Duterte, won a plurality of seats in the Senate of the Philippines.[6][7] Leading up to the opening of the 19th Congress, Cynthia Villar and Migz Zubiri, both having run under UniTeam, were viewed as the frontrunners to succeed Senate President Tito Sotto, who left the Senate after being term-limited.[8][9][10] After Zubiri presumptively earned enough votes to be elected Senate president and negotiations for a term-sharing agreement failed, Villar withdrew from the contest, leaving Zubiri unopposed for the Senate presidency.[11][12]
Zubiri's term as Senate president was marked by speculation of efforts to unseat him. Such speculation was confirmed by Senator Imee Marcos, who stated that there were plans to oust Zubiri from the Senate presidency, attributing such efforts to pressure that "came from outside the Senate".[13] On May 20, 2024, Zubiri resigned the Senate presidency after 15 senators expressed their support to oust him from the post.[14][15][16] Senator Francis Escudero was nominated as his successor and was elected without objection.[17][18]
While in government after UniTeam's large victories in the election,[19] Duterte remarked that the UniTeam had already "served its purpose" but claimed that the alliance was still "intact".[20] Following mounting tensions between the Marcos and Duterte political clans, Duterte resigned from her roles as Secretary of Education and co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.[21][22] Political observers saw Duterte's resignation from her positions in the Marcos administration as a confirmation of the collapse of the UniTeam. Some labeled Duterte as a potential "leader of the opposition", a label that she would reject, claiming that she was "still friends" with Marcos.[23][24]
Political scientist Julio C. Teehankee observed that a broad united coalition is unlikely to form in 2025 given that the Liberal Party, the traditional political opposition since 2016, has more in common with the ruling Marcos administration and noted that "there is little value in debating" which political faction is the true opposition, noting the varied motivations for opposing an incumbent government.[25]
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Electoral system
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The Philippines has a 24-member Senate elected at-large. Every three years since 1995, 12 seats are contested. For 2025, the seats last elected in 2019 will be contested. Each voter has 12 votes, of which one can vote for one to twelve candidates, or a multiple non-transferable vote; the twelve candidates with the most votes are elected.
Senators are limited to serving two consecutive terms, although they are eligible for a third (and succeeding) non-consecutive term.[26] Only half of the seats are up in every senatorial election.[27] The winning senators will succeed those elected in 2019, and will join those elected in 2022 to form the 20th Congress.
Each party or coalition endorses a slate of candidates, typically not exceeding a 12-person ticket.[28] A party may also choose to invite "guest candidates" to complete its slate.[29] The party may even include, with the candidates' consent, independent candidates and candidates from other parties as the party's guest candidates. Parties also may form coalitions to endorse a multi-party slate of candidates.
Winning candidates are proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC). The NBOC usually proclaims senators-elect by batches, if that candidate can no longer fall to worse than twelfth place in the tally. Post-proclamation disputes are handled by the Senate Electoral Tribunal, a body composed of six senators and three justices from the Supreme Court.
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Participating parties
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In both chambers of Congress, members are organized into "blocs", akin to parliamentary groups elsewhere. In keeping with the traditions of the Third Philippine Republic which was under a two-party system, there are two main blocs, the majority and minority blocs; this is although the country is now in a multi-party system. Those who voted for the Senate president are from the majority bloc, while those who did not (if there are more than two candidates for the Senate presidency) will vote amongst themselves on who will be the minority bloc. Those who belong to neither bloc shall be the independent minority bloc. Members can also be from the independent bloc.[30] Each bloc can have members from multiple parties. Only the majority and minority blocs have voting privileges in committees.
In the 19th Congress, the majority bloc is composed of members who voted for Escudero for Senate president.[31][32]
These parties have put up at least one candidate in the election:
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Coalitions
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This section describes the events prior to the campaign period.
Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas
On May 8, 2024, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and Lakas–CMD signed an alliance agreement at the Manila Polo Club in Makati to form the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (English: Alliance for the New Philippines) for the 2025 general elections.[33] House Speaker Martin Romualdez remarked that the formation of the alliance created the "most powerful political force in our country today", noting the positioning of the PFP as the de facto ruling party in the country and Lakas' status as the largest political party in the House of Representatives.[34]
Romualdez also implied that the coalition plans to include "all major parties",[35] including the Nacionalista Party, which began negotiations with the alliance on July 2.[36][37] President Marcos remarked that the alliance aims to be based "not on political expediency but on ideology" that focuses on unity and a new Philippines.[38] Two parties would sign alliance agreements with the coalition: the Nationalist People's Coalition on May 19,[39] and the National Unity Party on June 29.[40] The Nacionalista Party formally entered the coalition on August 8.[41]
On May 10, former Senator Manny Pacquiao announced his senatorial candidacy as a member of the alliance while remaining a member of PROMDI.[42][43] Reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of the president and PFP chairman, noted that she was unsure of her inclusion in the coalition, though the entry of the Nacionalista Party in the alliance ensured her inclusion in its ticket.[44][36] Party leaders under the alliance met on August 19; on the same day, Erwin Tulfo noted that the administration "still has no final senatorial lineup".[45]
On September 26, President Marcos announced the administration's twelve senatorial bets during an event at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay.[46] Although Imee Marcos, the president's sister, was introduced as part of the slate, she stated that she would not be joining the slate and would instead be running as an independent.[47] Despite her statement, she was never formally dropped from the slate, and was even shown campaigning with the alliance at the start of the campaign season.[48]
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
At the party's national council held on April 19, 2024, at the Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City, former President Rodrigo Duterte endorsed the reelection bids of incumbent Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Francis Tolentino (who later left to join Alyansa), as well as the bid of actor Phillip Salvador as part of the party's slate for the election.[49] PDP–Laban also renamed itself into the "Partido Demokratiko Pilipino", dropping the "Lakas ng Bayan" from its name.[50] On June 26, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed the elder Duterte's bid for the Senate, along with that of her brothers Paolo Duterte, the incumbent representative for Davao City's 1st district, and Sebastian Duterte, the incumbent mayor of Davao City.[51][52]
In response to the possibility of an alliance between the ruling Marcos administration and the Liberal Party, dela Rosa affirmed that the Dutertes would lead the opposition in such case.[53] On September, at the PDP national assembly, the party formed an alliance with Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma, Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan and the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee.[54]
During the filing of candidacies, Rodrigo Duterte ran as mayor of Davao City, his son Sebastian running as vice mayor, and another son Paolo running for representative from Davao City's 1st district.[55] Meanwhile, Go, dela Rosa, and Salvador jointly filed to run for senator.[56] Duterte administration officials Raul Lambino and Jimmy Bondoc also filed their candidacies to run for senator also under PDP.[57] In a January 30, 2025 meeting at Davao City, former president Duterte endorsed all PDP senatorial candidates, including Jayvee Hinlo, and independents Apollo Quiboloy and Rodante Marcoleta.[58] On the proclamation rally held at San Juan, the party endorsed all eight aforementioned candidates, and independent candidate Vic Rodriguez, President Marcos's erstwhile ad interim executive secretary and former campaign spokesperson.[59]
KiBam (Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino)
In the 2022 Senate election, senator Risa Hontiveros of Akbayan became the only candidate of the opposition Team Robredo–Pangilinan (TRoPa) to be re-elected.[b] After vice president Leni Robredo left office, she became the de facto leader of the opposition against Marcos and Duterte.[60][61] Hontiveros joined the Senate's minority bloc alongside Koko Pimentel. She rose into prominence as she led investigations against Philippine offshore gaming operators.[62][63]
At a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on February 22, 2024, Liberal Party spokesperson and former senator Leila de Lima announced that the party plans to field former senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan (nicknamed "Kiko"), as well as human rights lawyer Chel Diokno of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP), as its senatorial candidates in the upcoming election.[64][65] Aquino confirmed his bid for the Senate on May 14 after being appointed as the chairman of KANP.[66] While former vice president and 2022 presidential candidate Leni Robredo was floated as a possible candidate, Robredo ruled out a bid for the Senate and instead announced a run for the mayoralty of Naga, Camarines Sur,[67][68] though the party remained keen in drafting Robredo for its Senate ticket.[69]
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes, who ran under TRoPa in the 2022 election, proposed that the Liberal Party and its allies "set aside sensitivities for a larger cause" and align with the Marcos administration in the Senate race to ensure "obliteration of the Duterte forces".[70] Party president Edcel Lagman was also open to such arrangement.[71] Political pundits suggest that such a coalition would provide the opposition with more resources during the campaign but may alienate "many groups in the opposition camp who are ideologically opposed to any alliance with other political groups".[72] De Lima disapproved of Trillanes' proposal, emphasizing the need to adhere to the party's principles as a political opposition and identity as "the alternative to the Marcos bloc and the Duterte bloc".[73] Senator Risa Hontiveros concurred with de Lima, stating that while she respects Trillanes's proposition, such an alliance would not form a "genuine opposition".[74]
On September 20, the Liberal Party announced Pangilinan's candidacy for senator.[75][76] Aquino and Pangilinan then launched their "Mga Kaibigan" (Friends) campaign on October 16 at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines Diliman, with Hontiveros serving as their campaign manager.[77] At a campaign event in Bulacan, in November 2024, their campaign adopted the name "KiBam", a portmanteau of their names.[78]
Oposisyon ng Bayan (Makabayan)
In an interview during the commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers on June 26, 2024, term-limited Representative France Castro announced her bid for the Senate in response to open letters from teachers encouraging her to seek a seat in the chamber in 2025.[79][80] Castro added that the Makabayan coalition plans to form a 12-member senate slate for the 2025 elections with the aim to form an "alternative slate" to the ruling government.[81][82] The coalition aims to field candidates from marginalized sectors and vowed not to field candidates from political dynasties or influential families.[83] Castro and Representative Arlene Brosas also stated that they were open to form alliances with "true opposition" groups and have entered negotiations with other opposition groups such as the Liberal Party.[84] The slate will be named as "Oposisyon ng Bayan" (transl. People's Opposition).[85] Brosas later announced her Senate bid on July 16.[86][87]
Eight more members of the Makabayan senatorial slate independently announced their candidacies in July and August 2024, including former representatives Teodoro Casiño and Liza Maza and leaders from various sectoral grassroots organizations.[88] Makabayan formally announced its ten-member senatorial slate on August 26, during its National Heroes Day event at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.[89] On September 24, Moro activist Amirah Lidasan announced her run as the 11th Makabayan senatorial candidate.[90] On October 4, all eleven members of its senatorial slate filed their respective candidacies.[91]
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Term-limited incumbents
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The following are serving a successive six-year term and are barred from seeking reelection.[92]
- Nancy Binay (UNA), running for mayor of Makati
- On January 20, 2024, Binay stated in an interview on DWIZ-AM that she was "50 percent sure" that she would run for mayor of Makati upon the end of her term as senator.[93] She confirmed her bid for the mayoralty on September 9.[94] The incumbent mayor and Binay's sister Abigail is running for senator under the Nationalist People's Coalition.[95] Nancy defeated Abigail's husband Luis to become mayor-elect.[96]
- Koko Pimentel (Nacionalista), running for House representative from Marikina's 1st district
- On October 6, 2024, Pimentel filed to run for representative in Marikina's 1st district, facing off against incumbent mayor Marcelino Teodoro, husband of the incumbent representative Marjorie Ann, after a failed attempt to form an alliance with the local administration.[97] With the Dutertes using the PDP–Laban name, Pimentel ran under the Nacionalista Party.[98] Teodoro emerged with a landslide victory, but was not immediately proclaimed due to a pending disqualification case.[99] The commission dismissed Teodoro's disqualification case and was proclaimed as the winner.[100]
- Grace Poe (Independent), not running
- While Poe is not running, she has endorsed FPJ Panday Bayanihan, named after her father Fernando Poe Jr. (otherwise known by his initials "FPJ"), and of which her son Brian is the #1 nominee, in the party-list election.[101] The party won one seat in the election, earning Brian a seat.[102]
- Cynthia Villar (Nacionalista), running for House representative from Las Piñas's at-large district
- On July 31, 2024, Villar expressed her interest in running for public office in Las Piñas, either as mayor or House representative for the city's at-large district.[103][104] Villar was then later seen as running for the lower house.[105] Villar then filed to run as House representative,[106] while her daughter Camille, the incumbent House representative, is running for senator.[107] Villar lost the congressional election to independent councilor Mark Anthony Santos.[108]
Mid-term vacancies
- Sonny Angara (LDP), appointed as secretary of education
- On July 2, 2024, President Bongbong Marcos appointed Angara, a term-limited senator, as secretary of education.[109][110] On July 18, Angara resigned from the Senate a day before assuming office, leaving his seat vacant until his successor is elected in the regular election.[111][112]
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Marginal seats
These are the marginal seats that had a winning margin of 5% or less against the 13th placed candidate in the 2019 election, in ascending order via margin:
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Candidates
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The filing of candidacies was from October 1 to 8, 2024, at the Manila Hotel.[116] A total of 184 people registered to run for senator.[117] One withdrew his candidacy.[118] More than a week later, the commission released an initial list of 66 approved candidates.[119] In November, the COMELEC declared 117 nuisance candidates, 14 of which filed motion for reconsideration.[120][121] This includes 2022 election candidate and social media personality Francis Leo Marcos.[122] In December, the COMELEC announced 66 names are on their final list, having received no temporary restraining orders from the Supreme Court.[123]
Other tickets
Withdrawals and injunctions
On January 14, 2025, Chavit Singson announced his withdrawal as a candidate.[130] On the same day, the Supreme Court issued temporary restraining orders preventing the COMELEC from excluding certain aspirants on the ballot, including senatorial aspirant Subair Mustapha.[131] The COMELEC acquiesced to the court's order, and ordered the reprinting of ballots that did not have Mustapha's name on the ballot.[132] Singson made his withdrawal official on January 16; the COMELEC then decided to remove his name on the ballot, as they would have to reprint new ballots anyway.[133] On January 21, the Supreme Court released more injunctions, including adding Francis Leo Marcos on the ballot as a senatorial candidate.[134] Marcos himself withdrew on January 23.[135] The COMELEC then reprinted ballots on January 27, still with 66 names, but with Mustapha's name on it, and without Marcos' and Singson's names.[136]
On February 10, at the eve of campaigning, WIlbert T. Lee withdrew, citing lack of political machinery as the reason.[137] The commission, after receiving Lee's withdrawal said the printing of ballots will not be affected as Lee would remain on the ballot, and votes for him will be considered as stray votes.[138] On February 13, Willie Ong also announced his withdrawal, citing ill health.[139] Ong's wife Liza filed paperwork to make her husband's official on February 21.[140]
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Opinion polling
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Opinion polling in the Philippines is conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS), Pulse Asia, OCTA Research, and other pollsters.
Per candidate
The top 18 candidates with the highest favorability in each poll are listed below, where the top 12 are above the "black line". For a comprehensive list of all individuals included in the surveys, see the main article.
After start of campaign period for locally-elected candidates
After start of campaign period for nationally-elected candidates
After filing of candidacies
Before filing of candidacies
Per coalition
- Coalitions and blocs with the plurality of seats in boldface.
- Coalitions with the majority of seats are shaded by the coalition color.
- Coalitions that were not projected to win one seat or more in the surveys listed here are omitted.
Seats won
- Totals may not add up to 12 due to margin of error.
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Campaign
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Even prior to the campaign period starting, Imee Marcos and Camille Villar were identified to be the heaviest spenders in political advertisements on television, each reportedly spending 1 billion pesos each.[212]
Campaigning for nationally elected positions, including those for senators, start on February 11, 2025, and ends on May 11, 2025, election eve.[213]
On February 5, the final session day before Congress goes on recess for campaigning, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.[214] The Senate then received the articles of impeachment later in the day, an hour or so before the Senate went on recess.[215]
The following were the personnel of each slate:
February
At the start of the campaign period, the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas held a proclamation rally at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.[219] In this rally, President Marcos took jabs at some opposition candidates, saying "parang 'yung mga iba na naging kandidato eh nag-deliver lang yata ng suka eh nabigyan na ng certificate of candidacy" (transl. some looked like they just delivered vinegar but yet was given a certificate of candidacy), with "suka" referring to vinegar), as opposed to their slate's candidates' track record for public service.[220]
Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan held their proclamation rally at Dasmariñas Arena in Dasmariñas, Cavite, together with Akbayan and Mamamayang Liberal partylists.[221][222] On February 11, Aquino maintained that their KiBam slate is an "independent slate" and not an "opposition" one,[223] Makabayan held their proclamation rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.[224] Quiboloy also held a proclamation rally at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, attended by some PDP candidates.[225]
On February 13, PDP also held their proclamation rally at the Club Filipino in San Juan.[226][227] On that proclamation rally, Duterte joked "Let's just kill incumbent senators so there will be vacancies. If we can kill 15 senators, we can all get in."[228] On the same proclamation rally, Ronald dela Rosa, in response to President Marcos's "suka comments", said that their slate should be called "Team Suka", and that vinegar vendors should not stop oneself from dreaming big.[229] Also in response to allegations that he is a "pro-China" candidate, dela Rosa said "I am eager to wage war there in the West Philippine Sea"[230] This is also after fellow PDP slate member Rodante Marcoleta said that "There is not—there is nothing as" the West Philippine Sea.[231] Marcoleta reversed his statements on February 13, saying "I am not saying it is wrong for us to call [it the] West Philippine Sea, because I said, with or without name, that particular area is ours".[232]
On their proclamation rally at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, the Partido Lakas ng Masa, in reference to President Marcos's "suka comments", decried the latter's candidates on not showing up for debates. Leody de Guzman labeled the administration's candidates as cowards, while Luke Espiritu called Marcos's statement as arrogant.[127] The Workers' and Peasants' Party started their campaign at Manila.[129]
Ariel Querubin, a retired marine colonel, and 1-Rider House representative Bonifacio Bosita, a retired police lieutenant colonel, announced their alliance on February 17, calling themselves the "Riding-in-tandem Team".[128]
March
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On March 11, former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on basis of a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) coursed via Interpol.[233] Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, after returning to the country after an election rally at Hong Kong.[234] Senate President Francis Escudero urged due process from the ICC and called for restraint, warning against using Duterte's arrest for political gain ahead of the election.[235] Reelectionist Imee Marcos, criticized the political divisions, saying Duterte's arrest only creates "chaos" and questioning whether it benefits ordinary Filipinos. She also expressed sympathy, noting his age.[236] Marcos skipped a campaign rally in Tacloban in protest of Duterte's arrest.[237] She then asked the Senate to conduct an investigation on the manner how Duterte was arrested.[238]
Makabayan candidate Arlene Brosas called it "a glimpse of hope" for the victims' families,[239] while fellow Makabayan candidate France Castro described it as "a concrete step towards accountability and justice" for victims of human rights abuses.[240] PLM candidate Luke Espiritu expressed strong support for Duterte's arrest, accusing the former president of severely damaging the nation's values and character, and calling the arrest "just".[241] A rally protesting Duterte's arrest and asked for his return to the Philippines was held at the Liwasang Bonifacio, attended by PDP candidates.[242]
Meanwhile, dela Rosa asked for the Senate to provide him protection in case the ICC issues a warrant for him. Escudero said "the Senate will not allow any of its members to be arrested within the Senate, especially during a session."[243] Dela Rosa initially said that once the Senate's protection on him ends, he would have surrendered peacefully, saying he will not engage in a gunfight with the arresting team.[244] However, a day later, he said that he is mulling on hiding from the authorities instead of surrendering.[245]
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On the Senate hearing regarding former president Duterte's arrest, Senator Marcos, who was the chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Duterte's rights were violated as he was not given the chance to subject the ICC warrant via judicial review, and that Duterte was not given a physical copy of the warrant of arrest. Anthony Alcantara, executive director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, said that they did not receive a red notice from Interpol, but instead a red diffusion, or a "wanted person notice". Jesus Crispin Remulla, the Secretary of Justice, invoked the commitment of the Philippines to Interpol and following Republic Act No. 9851, the law punishing crimes against humanity. Remulla refuted Marcos's pronouncements that ICC lacked jurisdiction as the Philippine justice system was working, pointing out that relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings found it impossible to file cases on local courts due to lack of police reports, and due to inaction from fiscals.[246] On subsequent Alyansa rallies, President Marcos omitted his sister's name in his speeches.[247]
Vice President Duterte then later endorsed ten candidates: the nine candidates on the PDP slate, and Richard Mata, but not Senator Marcos. The PDP slate then adopted the name DuterTen, a portmanteau of "Duterte" and "ten", the number of candidates on their senatorial ticket).[248] Imee Marcos then left Alyansa on March 26, 2025.[124] On the findings released by the committee led by Marcos, it found that the Philippines had "no obligation to arrest Duterte and turn him over to the ICC, that the Philippine government decided to arrest Duterte, and that Duterte's rights were violated.[249] Marcos then later said that "I'm not paying attention to it" on rumors that the DuterTen ticket was planning to adopt her[250]
April
On his first appearance since the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, Ronald dela Rosa attended the second hearing of the foreign relations committee. Government officials skipped the meeting, citing executive privilege. In the hearing, Dela Rosa montioned to issue subpoenas to missing cabinet members; Senate President Francis Escudero did not issue subpoenas to the hearing.[251] On the third hearing attended by government officials, Markus Lacanilao, Special Envoy on Transnational Crimes, was cited in contempt of Congress by the committee. Escudero refused to sign the contempt order, releasing Lacanilao from the Senate's custody. Dela Rosa motioned Lacanilao to be cited in contempt, after dela Rosa accused him of lying during the hearing.[252] Escudero issued a statement saying that Marcos "to refrain from using the Senate as a platform for her own personal political objectives". Jesus Crispin Remulla, the justice secretary, said that they did not attend the second hearing as they anticipated that the senators would bully them and pressure them on making admissions.[253]
On April 13, Senator Robin Padilla, also president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, endorsed Marcos.[254] A day later, Sara Duterte releases a political advertisement endorsing Imee Marcos, with both women clad in black clothing.[255] The government decried the advertisement, calling it as "fake news", calling the Duterte administration being "black" as the one having best describing the advertisement.[256] A week later, Duterte appeared on another political advertisement endorsing Camille Villar.[257] Later that week, the COMELEC summoned Villar for alleged vote buying in Cavite. Villar denied that the incident was illegal, having occurred on February 9, two days before the campaign period.[258] Despite this, Toby Tiangco, Alyansa's campaign manager, maintained that Villar was still a part of the slate.[259] Villar then skipped a campaign sortie with her fellow Alyansa candidates in Dagupan, saying that she was sick.[260]
A week after Duterte's endorsement of Villar, Bulacan vice governor Alex Castro appealed to the Senate to investigate PrimeWater's alleged appalling service. PrimeWater is a water management service owned by the Villars. Castro cited issues in San Jose del Monte, where the local government sued the company to terminate their 25-year joint venture agreement that was signed in 2018. Bulacan governor Daniel Fernando, citing instances where communities have no running water for days on weekends, and exorbitant water bills, described it as "very poor" service.[261] On April 30, presidential spokesperson Claire Castro (no relation to the vice governor) said the president will order an investigation on PrimeWater.[262]
May
Despite this, while Alyansa backed the government on investigating PrimeWater, they maintained that Villar is still a part of their slate.[263] The government and several Alyansa candidates denied Sara Duterte's allegations that the investigations on PrimeWater were politically motivated, with it having 73 joint ventures with local water districts around the country. The Local Water Utilities Administration began its investigation on PrimeWater on May 2.[264] Meanwhile, on a rally at Batangas City, President Marcos did not endorse Villar.[265]
On a rally at Quezon City, Honeylet Avanceña, Rodigo Duterte's domestic partner, and their daughter Kitty Duterte, campaigned for a block vote the DuterTen slate.[266] Kitty's statement of "I am here now because they took from us, from all of us, most of all from me, my father… Instead of addressing crime, corruption, and poverty, this administration is prioritizing ruining my family and all of its allies," was roasted in social media.[267]
At a later rally in Malolos, despite Villar's absence, President Marcos endorsed the latter, after not being mentioned in prior rallies in Batangas City and Dumajug.[268] The COMELEC dismissed the vote-buying case against Villar, confirming the incident, which involved giving cash prizes to rallygoers, indeed occurred prior to the campaigning period, despite it being posted on social media after the campaign period began.[269]
On May 8, the Partido Demokratko Pilipino held their miting de avance at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.[270] PDP candidates exhorted the people to support the Dutertes.[271] In the rally, Sara Duterte said that she is "not the problem of the Philippines. A Duterte is not the problem of the Philippines."[272] The Alyansa ended their campaign at their miting de avance in Nueve de Pebrero Street in Mandaluyong on May 9; Villar was still absent.[273] Villar instead attended the miting de avance of the local Nacionalista Party in her hometown of Las Piñas.[274] Makabayan held their miting de avance in Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City on the same day.[275] The miting de avance of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod of the Dutertes in Davao City was attended by most of the DuterTen candidates.[276]
Also on the same day, the Iglesia ni Cristo released its list of endorsements for eight senatorial candidates.[277] Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines labeled that neither they nor Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David endorsed any candidates in any position, denouncing circulating social media posts as "fake news".[278] David also said that Filipinos "can treat the election of a leader as a sacred moment", comparing the election to then just-concluded papal conclave.[279]
On May 10, the KiBam ticket attended the local Liberal Party miting de avance in Naga, hosted by mayoral candidate and defeated 2022 presidential candidate Leni Robredo.[280] Just before the end of the campaign period, Marcos and Villar were officially added as guest candidates of DuterTen.[125]
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Results
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Perspective
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) expected to proclaim the winners at least a week after election.[281] The NBOC first convened on May 13, a day after the election, to canvass the local absentee voting results.[282] Rodante Marcoleta called on to the COMELEC to make a partial proclamation of at least then top six candidates,[283] which the commission refused, maintaining that it will proclaim all twelve winners together by Saturday after the election at the earliest.[284] The commission canvassed 159 certificates of canvass by Wednesday after the election, on what was said to be record speed, leaving just 16 certificates.[285] On May 15, the NBOC finished canvassing the votes.[286] The winning senators were proclaimed on May 17, with all candidates except for Francis Pangilinan attending.[287]
The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas secured six seats. None of their candidates cracked the top three, with Erwin Tulfo finishing at fourth place. The sixth Alyansa candidate, Camille Villar, was also added as a guest candidate by the DuterTen.[288] For the DuterTen ticket, Bong Go, Marcoleta and Ronald dela Rosa won, with Go topping the nationwide vote.[289] Marcoleta relied on the Duterte stronghold of Mindanao, being in the top six in at least three provinces there.[290] Both candidates in the KiBam ticket won, with Bam Aquino ranking second and Pangilinan fifth. Aquino emerged as the topnotcher in at least 23 provinces, mostly in Luzon, while Pangilinan was in the top six in at least 23 provinces.[291] Imee Marcos, also a guest candidate of the DuterTen, clinched the last spot in the top 12, based primarily on voters from the Solid North or from the Ilocano heartland.[292]
Five senators, Go, dela Rosa, Cayetano, Lapid, and Marcos, successfully defended their seats. Meanwhile, four are returning to the Senate (Aquino, Pangilinan, Lacson, and Sotto), while three are neophytes that were serving out the remainder of their terms as House representatives (Tulfo, Marcoleta, and Villar).[115] Sotto was elected for a fifth senatorial term, the first Filipino senator to have done so.[293] Incumbent senators Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino failed to defend their seats, placing 14th and 25th, respectively.
Per candidate
- Guest candidate of DuterTen
Per coalition
- Both Aksyon Demokratiko candidates withdrew, making any votes for them stray.
Provincial results per coalition
The following maps show how many candidates per ticket made it to the top 12 on that place. Metro Manila is shown at the inset on the upper right corner.
Per party
- Both Aksyon Demokratiko candidates withdrew, making any votes for them stray.
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Defeated incumbents
Aftermath
Summarize
Perspective
Reactions
On the day after the election, President Bongbong Marcos invited election winners, "I extend my hand. Let us move forward together."[294] Later, on Alyansa's thanksgiving party, Marcos further stated "We all wish we had better results, but you know, we live to fight another day. But now it's time, I think, to put all the politics aside, it's time to put all of the issues that were raised during the election, and only talk about not political issues but developmental issues".[295] Toby Tiangco, Alyansa's campaign manager, said "we consider the victory of most of our candidates a vote of confidence in the Bagong Pilipinas".[296]
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed disappointment at the results, stating that “the outcome was not what we had hoped for.” Duterte encouraged the public to support their efforts in “building a powerful and principled opposition.”[297] The result of the election is also expected to have an effect on her ongoing impeachment. Meanwhile, Senator and opposition leader Risa Hontiveros, who also served as KiBam's campaign manager, declared a strengthened opposition bloc in Congress with the electoral victory of the KiBam tandem and the concurrent success of allied party-list groups in the lower house.[298] The win also marked a comeback for the Aquino family.[5]
Panfilo Lacson, after the initial results were known, blamed the failure of the administration's political machinery on why the Alyansa did not win more seats. Lacson remarked that the biggest beneficiaries of 'DuterTen' and 'Alyansa Minus Two' were Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan".[299] Ronald Llamas, a political analyst, said that the election was a vote against the administration, instead of a vote in favor of the Dutertes.[300] Former House representative Barry Gutierrez blamed Tiangco for Alyansa's underperformance, saying that "[Toby] Tiangco failed to deliver. And now, he's pointing fingers".[301]
On the accuracy of the results
Detained candidate Apollo Quiboloy, who at the time ranked 31st, called for a manual recount of votes due to "numerous reports of overvoting anomalies, inconsistencies in ballot readings, and other electoral irregularities."[302] Seven of the DuterTen candidates (those who were losing) repeated Quiboloy's calls for a manual recount, saying they'd file a motion for a manual recount of votes, but would not push for the suspension of the proclamation of winners.[303] COMELEC spokesperson Rex Laudiangco later remarked that the only way for a manual recount to be done is for Quiboloy to file an election protest.[304] The COMELEC later stated that the law does not have provisions on manual recounting of votes save for random manual audits, although Garcia said that the law may need to be revisited. As they had also proclaimed the winners, he said the COMELEC no longer has jurisdiction, but to the Senate Electoral Tribunal.[305]
On Independence Day, Sara Duterte said that three DuterTen candidates were cheated. In a gathering at Kuala Lumpur, Duterte said that Jayvee Hinlo, Richard Mata and Jimmy Bondoc were cheated in the election. Duterte, upon talking to IT experts, who said that "it was impossible that the numbers that came out are true".[306] Later that month, PDP petitioned the Supreme Court to manually recount the votes of the senatorial election.[307] The commission welcomed the petition.[308]
On the accuracy of pre-election polls
Election winners Aquino, Marcoleta, and Pangilinan did not figure well in the last surveys prior to the election.[309] In contrast, Ben Tulfo, Bong Revilla, and Abigail Binay, who were often included in the top 12 candidates in the surveys, were not able to win. Alyansa underperformed, winning six seats, fewer than polls predicted, with none of the election’s top three candidates coming from the alliance. Predicted topnotcher Erwin Tulfo finished fourth, Tito Sotto slipped from third to eighth, Lito Lapid fell from fourth to eleventh, and Abigail Binay and Bong Revilla, who were in the top 12, finished outside the winning places.[310] The DuterTen ticket secured three seats, alongside two guest candidates. The remaining two seats went to the KiBam ticket, who defied pre-election polls and won. COMELEC chairman George Garcia said that surveys may have missed several key factors on why they missed the result. Garcia pointed out that the sampling may not have optimal, and poll respondents may not have been truthful in answering or had changed their minds at the last minute.
Ronald Holmes, president of the Pulse Asia polling company, said that this "was the first time where we basically had movements in ranks that were quite significant," and that their last survey was conducted "three weeks before the elections—and a lot [had] happened [since] then."[311] The company also noted that the machineries of the Marcos and Duterte may have struggled to mobilize voter support, as support for the Marcos-backed Alyansa dropped in several regions in Luzon while the DuterTen underperformed in Mindanao.[312] It added that several candidates, mostly independent or progressive, received higher actual votes compared to final pre-election surveys.
The millennials and generation Z comprise 60% of registered voters.[313] Cleve Arguelles of WR Numero Research said that the youth repudiated both Marcos and Duterte slates, and voted for KiBam.[314] Ana de Villa-Singson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting pointed out that surveys done in schools are substantially different from surveys done by pollsters, with the KiBam candidates being included in the top 12. Eric Alvia of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections said that the voters' rejection of the Alyansa "may be a referendum on the administration's performance and satisfaction. Another factor is that it is a clear message of a strong support especially in the D/E class and Mindanao vote from Duterte et al supporters."[315]
Election to the Senate presidency
Former Senate president Tito Sotto revealed that at least four senators have urged him to retake the Senate presidency. The incumbent Senate president, Francis Escudero, said he would leave it to the senators on who to pick. Both Sotto and Escudero are members of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), with Sotto its party chairman.[316]
For the Duterte-aligned senators, Ronald dela Rosa observes neither of them are ambitious enough to target the Senate presidency, and said "What we're after from our bloc is to simply be treated fairly and not be ignored and treated like second class citizens. We should be on equal footing with everyone."[317] On an interview, Rodante Marcoleta did not answer the question if he is vying for the Senate presidency.[318] Dela Rosa later said that the Duterte-aligned senators have not talked about this as Robin Padilla is overseas. Dela Rosa pointed to Alan Peter Cayetano and Migz Zubiri as additional candidates for the Senate presidency.[319] Go later said that both Escudero and Sotto have discussed about the Senate presidential election to them.[320]
On May 24, Imee Marcos said that she had some senators expressing support to her if she runs for the Senate presidency. She also confirmed that she will be joining the Duterte bloc. Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, sees Escudero retaining the Senate presidency, and denounced rumors of him replacing Escudero as an interim Senate president on the lame-duck session, saying that "I will decline it. That is not true."[321] Later that week, Sotto explained that the president has usually not interfered with the election of the Senate president, and that the Senate had rejected the president's preferred Senate president before. Sotto also revealed that Escudero had took a leave of absence from the NPC.[322] Escudero remained as Senate president during the lame-duck session, presiding over the Senate as it adjourned sine die.[323] Alan Peter Cayetano believed that Escudero has the numbers to retain the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress.[324] Escudero, for his part, said that while he would not campaign, he would not decline if nominated.[325]
Upon the start of terms on June 30, Joel Villanueva said Escudero has at least 13 votes to win the Senate presidency, counting at least himself and Erwin Tulfo. Risa Hontiveros said that while she is targetting leading the minority, she acknowledged she may not have the numbers and lead an independent bloc instead.[326] Hontiveros also said she won't join the majority bloc.[327] For his part, Tito Sotto is open to leading the minority if he loses the Senate presidential election.[328] Zubiri then said he will support Sotto for Senate president,[329] while JV Ejercito said he prefers Escudero to be retained.[330] A week later, Estrada said that a resolution supporting Escudero to be reelected to the Senate presidency has at least 13 signatures.[331] Estrada also said that he expects Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan to join the majority; Risa Hontiveros had expected them to join her at least in the independent bloc.[332]
Dela Rosa announced that the seven pro-Duterte senators, whom he called as the "Duter7", are to support Esucdero. Meanwhile, Aquino clarified that he remains with the "independent bloc", along with Hontiveros and Pangilinan. Zubiri also publicly invited Hontiveros to join the "veterans bloc" who are supporting Sotto. Lacson explained that the blocs are solely based on who a senator voted for in the Senate presidential election.[333] Hontiveros later said she is open in joining the "veterans bloc".[334] Zubiri then said she is "most welcome" in joining them, with Zubiri expressing pity on Hontiveros, who after campaigning for her candidates, was now alone.[335] Dela Rosa also said that is Escudero won't run for the Senate presidency, one among the Duter7 would run instead.[336] A week later, Estrada said that "18 are in the majority. Only six did not join".[337]
At the convening of the 20th Congress, Escudero defeated Sotto, with 19 votes against 5, and with both of them voting against each other. Sotto then became minority leader. Estrada was elected Senate president pro tempore, and Joel Villanueva was named majority leader and the chairman of the Committee on Rules.[338]
Results
Per senator
Notes
- There were 4 Nacionalista candidates in this election. Two (Pia Cayetano and Camille Villar) ran under the Alyansa ticket, another (Ariel Querubin) ran under the Riding-in-tandem Team with Bonifacio Bosita, and the other (Imee Marcos) was originally with Alyansa, but removed herself from the ticket. Cayetano, Villar and Marcos each won. The figures here are for Marcos; Cayetano and Villar's totals are included in the Alyansa totals while Querubin's totals are included in the Riding-in-tandem Team.
- Senators Francis Escudero and Joel Villanueva, while re-elected, ran as guest candidates of the Team Robredo–Pangilinan opposition alliance, but did not endorse Robredo.
References
External links
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