The Marcos administration's Alyansa slate secured a draw against candidates backed by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2025 senatorial elections, according to campaign manager Representative Toby Tiangco, despite initial claims of defeat.
The final tally for the 12-member Senate shows a split outcome, with five seats each going to the Alyansa slate and Duterte-backed candidates.
The Duterte-aligned winners are Bong Go, Bato Dela Rosa, Rodante Marcoleta, Camille Villar and Imee Marcos.
Meantime, the Alyansa slate secured victories for Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano and Lito Lapid.
Two independent candidates, Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, secured the remaining seats, preventing a clear majority for either of the two major political forces.
Tiangco attributed the close race and split vote to heightened voter emotions following the House of Representatives' impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
He said Alyansa's support in Mindanao significantly decreased, dropping from nine strong candidates to four after the impeachment issue, leading to fewer campaign events in the region.
"To interpret the result of the Senate election as an outright loss for the Alyansa slate is an oversimplification," Tiangco said.
"We may not have swept the top twelve, but no one could claim that we suffered a political setback in the race," he added.
Tiangco believes the impeachment issue negatively impacted their senatorial aspirants' chances in Mindanao, though local candidates from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas secured wins in key areas within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The balanced outcome in the Senate suggests a divided mandate from the electorate, and the implications for the Marcos administration’s legislative agenda are yet to be seen.