From the Peanut Gallery’s PGMN Explains
In a surprising twist for the 2025 midterms, Filipinos shut the door on a political strategy that’s long been a staple of Philippine elections: banking on celebrity status.
Voters rejected some of the biggest names in showbiz and media—sending a clear message that charm alone isn’t enough anymore.
Artista No More: Voters Demand Substance
It wasn’t just one or two big names. Manny Pacquiao, Bong Revilla, and Ben Tulfo all lost. Younger personalities like Marco Gumabao, Mocha Uson, and Luis Manzano also couldn’t catch a break.
The message was consistent across the board: voters are no longer clapping for punchlines or legacy surnames—they want solid platforms.
Lito Lapid remains the lone celebrity holdout in the Senate, but even that position looks unstable. As Filipinos grow more politically aware, especially online and in Gen Z circles, it seems being famous is no longer a golden ticket to power.
From Personality to Platforms: The Shift in Voter Behavior
This year’s election marked a clear shift: conviction beat charisma. Candidates like Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Bong Go, and Marcoleta surged not because of star power, but because they showed up with ideas—and showed up at all. It was an ideological battleground, not a popularity contest.
Even dominant political dynasties weren’t safe. The Tulfo media empire took a hit. Ben Tulfo, once a frontrunner, was knocked out completely.
Even Raffy Tulfo, though not running, saw the family brand lose steam. Silence in this climate, it turns out, comes with a cost.
What’s Next? Two Camps, One Showdown
Despite the shift, the DDS machine remains rock-solid. Diehard Duterte supporters, from Mindanao to Metro Manila, proved their loyalty is still unmatched.
Meanwhile, the Pink movement didn’t fade—it evolved. Gen Z helped swing the 2025 vote by organizing and pushing a values-based campaign offline.
Now, the stage is set for 2028. The Marcos mandate is slipping, the traditional power bases are shaking, and two ideological blocs—DDS and the Pink reformists—are locked in what looks like the beginning of a political civil war.
And the electorate? More informed, more involved, and more determined than ever to hold the powerful accountable.
