Duterte allies celebrate Senate victories in 2025 polls

Three prominent allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte emerged victorious in the 2025 midterm elections, all securing Senate seats and dedicating their wins to the detained Philippine leader.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta, and re-electionist Senator Bong Go all credited Duterte’s influence and legacy as central to their campaigns. Here’s how each of them reacted to their victory:

Dela Rosa dedicates Senate victory to FPRRD

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Saturday that he is dedicating his victory in the May 2025 midterm elections to former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In his speech, Dela Rosa claimed that the over 20 million votes he received were "protest votes" against Duterte’s arrest.

"Kaya kung nasaan ka man President Duterte, I dedicate this victory to you (So President Duterte, wherever you are, I dedicate this victory to you)," he said.

Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of crimes against humanity.

Dela Rosa also thanked Vice President Sara Duterte for her "continued encouragement and motivation."

"Thank you for the inspiration," he added.

Rodante Marcoleta proclaimed senator

Rodante Marcoleta, former SAGIP Party-list representative, was proclaimed senator on Saturday after securing over 15 million votes in the midterm elections.

Marcoleta received the sixth highest number of votes among the 12 candidates who made it to the "Magic 12."

In 2022, he ran for senator under the UniTeam slate but later withdrew from the race.

Known as a Duterte ally, Marcoleta said he is ready to serve as a senator-judge in Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible impeachment trial.

"Preparado talaga ako, maniwala kayo (I'm really prepared. Trust me)," he told reporters.

Marcoleta was also one of the lawmakers who voted to deny ABS-CBN a fresh broadcast franchise in 2020. He ran under the Duter10 slate this year.

Bong Go says 'Tatay Digong' proud of his Senate win

Senator Bong Go, who garnered the most votes in the 2025 midterm elections, said former President Rodrigo Duterte is “proud of him” for securing another Senate term.

In an ambush interview, Go said that while he has yet to speak directly with Duterte, he is certain that the former President is proud of him for clinching the top senatorial spot.

"Na-relay po namin at masaya po siya sa naging outcome at I'm sure proud po yun na naging number 1 po ako dahil siya po ay aking inspirasyon at naging mentor ko sa public service sa dalawang dekada (We already relayed it and he is happy with the outcome and I'm sure he is proud that I became number 1 because he was my inspiration and mentor in public service for two decades)," Go said.

"Wala po ako dito ngayon kung hindi dahil kay dating Pangulong Duterte (I'm not here if it weren't for former President Duterte)," he added.

Go also shared one of the lessons he learned from Duterte: "Just do what is right, put the interest of the people first."

Senate presidency?

When asked if he was aiming for the Senate presidency, Go said, "Kung sino [na] lang po ang gusto ng majority. Okay lang po ako (Well I'm okay with who the majority wants)," he told reporters.

Asked if he is backing anyone's Senate presidency, "Kung sino na lang po ang makakapagtrabaho nang maayos (Whoever can do the job well)."

Go broke the record for the most votes received by any Philippine senator in history, tallying 27,121,073 votes. He surpassed Robin Padilla's 2022 record of 26,612,434 votes.