How Did Showbiz Folks Fare in the Midterm Elections?

Several celebrity candidates in the 2025 midterm elections experienced mixed outcomes, with a few emerging victorious, while many others fell short in their bids for government positions across various cities and provinces.

- By Patricia Dela Roca

Here is the list of well-known figures, from actors, singers, athletes and former stars, who either lost or won the 2025 midterm elections:

Former Sen. boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) singer Jimmy Bondoc, TV host Willie Revillame, and actors Bong Revilla and Phillip Salvador failed to secure Senate slots.

While Revilla and Pacquiao failed to stage their political comebacks, their relatives succeeded in their respective cities and provinces.

Revilla's wife, Lani Mercado, was proclaimed Cavite's Second District representative, while their children, Jolo and Ram, secured spots in the same province as congressman and vice governor, respectively.

Meanwhile, in Sarangani and General Santos City, Pacquiao's political clan continued with his brother, Rogelio Pacquiao, re-elected as Sarangani governor, while sister-in-law, Lorelie Pacquiao, clinched the mayoral seat in General Santos City. Adding to the family's victories, Manny's second son, Michael Pacquiao, also won as councilor in GenSan.

Former broadcaster and current ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo joined the "Magic 12" of individuals running for senator.

Returning to the Senate is host-comedian and former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

Also retaining a Senate seat is longtime actor-politician Lito Lapid. Content creator Dr. Willie Ong withdrew his Senate bid last February but was still among the Top 30.

"Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos is set to make a political comeback as Batangas governor, while her son, Ryan Christian Recto, won as Lipa representative. However, her eldest son, Luis Manzano, fell short in his bid for vice governor. Their running mate, Mikee Morada — husband of host-vlogger Alex Gonzaga — secured first term as vice mayor.