Celebrities in politics: Winners and losers

The 2025 Philippine elections once again saw a surge of showbiz personalities vying for public office. From the Senate all the way down to city councils and provincial boards, stars stepped out of the limelight and into the political arena, seeking the people’s mandate. Here’s a comprehensive look at who among them secured victory — and who will have to wait for another chance.

SENATE SHOWDOWN

Winners:

•Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Tito Sotto and Lito Lapid emerged as the top celebrity bets securing Senate seats, blending public recognition with political experience.

Losers:

•Despite massive name recall, Manny Pacquiao, Jimmy Bondoc, Philip Salvador and Willie Revillame failed to clinch enough votes to join the upper chamber

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Winners:

•Richard Gomez (Leyte, 4th District), Arjo Atayde (Quezon City, 1st), Jolo Revilla (Cavite, 1st), Lani Mercado (Cavite, 2nd), and Ryan Christian Recto (Batangas, 6th) proved that star power backed by strong ground campaigns still works.

Losers:

•Marco Gumabao, Ejay Falcon, Lino Cayetano, and Rey Malonzo fell short in their congressional bids.

PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP

Winners:

•Vilma Santos made a successful return, winning as governor of Batangas. Daniel Fernando also secured a fresh mandate in Bulacan. Former News Personality Sol

Aragones also won in the Province of Laguna

Losers:

•Dan Fernandez lost in Laguna’s hotly contested gubernatorial race.

Winners: Vice Governors –

•Alex Castro triumphed in Bulacan.

Vice Governors – defeated:

•Luis Manzano failed to clinch the vice governorship in Batangas. Also defeated were Jorge Jerico Ejercito, Gem Castillo (both in Laguna).

MAYORAL CONTESTS

Winners:

•Big-name winners included Vico Sotto (Pasig), Lucy Torres-Gomez (Ormoc), Isko Moreno (Manila), Jennifer Mindanao-Cruz (Pola, Oriental Mindoro), Niña Jose-Quiambao (Bayambang, Pangasinan) and ER Ejercito (Pagsanjan, Laguna).

Losers:

•Among those who did not make the cut were Sam Versoza, Raymond Bagatsing, Victor Neri (Makati), Emilio Garcia (Bay, Laguna), DJ Durano (Sogod, Cebu), Arnold Vegafria (Olongapo), and Bobet Vidanes (Pililia, Rizal).

VICE MAYORS & COUNCILORS

Winners:

•Dodot Jaworski (Pasig), Gian Sotto (Quezon City), and Mikee Morada (Lipa) all secured vice mayoral posts.

Losers:

•Yul Servo, Philip Cezar, Monsour del Rosario, Angelika Dela Cruz, and Anyo Yllana were unsuccessful in their bids.

Winners:

•A mix of veterans and first-timers won council seats including Aiko Melendez, Alfred Vargas, Joaquin Domagoso, Angelu de Leon, James Yap, Ervic Vijandre, Lou Veloso, Kiko Rustia, and Cai Cortez.

Losers:

•Notable names who lost include Marjorie Barretto, Dennis Padilla, Ara Mina, Shamcey Supsup, Ali Forbes, Enzo Pineda, Aljur Abrenica, and Mocha Uson.

PROVINCIAL BOARD RACES

Winners:

•Jestoni Alarcon (Rizal), Angelica Jones (Laguna), Aaron Villaflor (Tarlac), and Jason Abalos (Nueva Ecija) successfully made the cut.

Loser:

•Roi Vinzon did not win in his district in Benguet.

A POLITICAL CROSSOVER

While some celebrities capitalized on their popularity to advance their political aspirations, others found that star power alone isn’t always enough to sway voters. As the dust settles on Eleksyon 2025, one thing is clear: the intersection between showbiz and public service remains a unique and enduring feature of the Filipino electoral landscape.