An electoral tsunami

VIRTUAL REALITY

- TONY LOPEZ

A political tsunami has swept the nation, changing drastically the political and economic landscape this year, the outlook of the 2028 presidential elections and the nature of governance beyond.

The opposition overwhelmed the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) of President Marcos Jr. Monday, May 12. BBM's Alyansa loyalists won only five of the 12 senatorial seats at stake, while diehards of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (RRD) snatched another five.

ABP's winning five: No. 4 Erwin Tulfo (Lakas CMD) 16.815 million votes; No. 7 Ping Lacson (Ind), 14.857 million; No. 8 Tito Sotto (NPC), 14.596 million; No. 9 Pia Cayetano (NP), 14.306 million and No. 11 Lito Lapid (NPC), 13.121 million. Total votes of the Alyansa Five Hardcore: 73.695 million.

The five Duterte winners: No. 1 Bong Go (PDP Laban), 26.488 million votes; No. 2 Bato dela Rosa (PDP Laban), 20.271 million votes and No. 6 Rodante Marcoleta (Ind.), 14.91 million votes. Plus two Duterte sympathizers, ex-Alyansa: No. 10 Camille Villar (NP), 13.359 million votes and Imee Marcos (NP), 13.037 million votes. Total votes of the Duterte Five: 88.065 million.

Two comebacking former Liberal Party stalwart senators, Bam Aquino Aquino and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, saved two of the top five senatorial slots for themselves, No. 2 and No. 5, respectively, with combined votes of 35.725 million — Aquino 20.637 million; Kiko, 15.088 million. Senator Aquino ran for reelection in 2019 but lost.