For better or for worse, celebrities dabbling in politics is nothing new here. GMA News reported that 39 out of 91 celebrity candidates lost the 2019 midterm elections. And this year, we also saw actors and musicians try their hand at governance — and fail.
Some have emerged victorious, like incumbent re-electionists Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres and Cavite Second District Representative Lani Mercado, and rapper Michael Pacquiao, who makes his first foray into politics with a councilorship in General Santos City.
However, many other celebrities failed to secure seats in the Senate, Congress, and local government units, proving that it takes more than star power to win the Filipino vote. Here are 30 celebrities who did not prevail in the polls this year.
Senate
Former legislator and athlete Manny Pacquiao, father of Michael, ran for a Senate comeback but failed to make the top 12, along with actor and re-electionist Senator Bong Revilla. This year also marks Revilla’s first loss in a senatorial bid after serving three terms. Other celebrity candidates who didn’t make it to the Senate’s winning circle are TV host Willie Revillame, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, singer Jimmy Bondoc, and actor Phillip “Ipe” Salvador.
Congress
Other celebrities vied to represent different party-lists and congressional districts in the House of Representatives, but some didn’t make the cut, like actor Marco Gumabao, who ran for Camarines Sur Fourth District representative. Failed party-list nominees include comedian Bayani Agbayani (TUPAD), actor Zanjoe Marudo (ASAP NA), and actor Jeremy Marquez (Solo Parents).
Provincial Government
With local government being a more accessible doorway to politics, it’s no surprise that some celebrities start there. For others, however, a failed campaign might signal the end of their political careers. Santa Rosa Rep. and actor Dan Fernandez lost the gubernatorial race in Laguna to former ABS-CBN news presenter Sol Aragones. In Batangas, actress Vilma Santos is set for a comeback as the province’s governor, but her son actor Luis Manzano failed to take the seat for vice governor. Actor Ejay Falcon also did not secure the vice gubernatorial seat in Oriental Mindoro.
City or Municipal Government
In the city of Manila, actors like Raymond Bagatsing, Sam Verzosa, and Isko Moreno ran for the mayoralty, which Moreno won again after his first term from 2019 to 2022. Other celebrity candidates who failed the mayoral races are actor Victor Neri (Makati City), actor DJ Durano (Sogod, Cebu), Emilio Garcia (Bay, Laguna), and Rommel Padilla (Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija).
Actor and incumbent Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo lost in his re-election bid. Other defeated vice mayoralty candidates include actress Angelika dela Cruz (Malabon) and comedian Anjo Yllana (Calamba, Laguna).
Eight other celebrities lost their bids for councilorship in their respective cities, including Enzo Pineda (Quezon City), Aljur Abrenica (Angeles City, Pampanga), Mocha Uson (Manila), Pasig City bets Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Ara Mina, Caloocan bets Dennis Padilla and Marjorie Baretto, and Abby Viduya, also known by the name Priscilla Almeda (Parañaque).
