After the Ballots, the Real Battle Begins.
The 2025 midterm and local elections are over, but their deeper meaning has only just begun to unfold. This wasn’t merely a contest of personalities or political dynasties—it became a litmus test for the Filipino electorate’s evolving consciousness. For perhaps the first time in years, we witnessed a crack in the machinery of celebrity politics and dynastic entitlement. And in that crack, some light came through.
At the national level, the Senate results were telling.
Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, both previously counted out by surveys and sidelined by social media chatter, staged remarkable comebacks. These two long-time opposition voices—unapologetically anti-Marcos, consistently critical of Duterte—won not through glitz or gimmicks, but through credibility and years of quiet service. Their message: governance should be grounded in substance, not spectacle.
This message echoed across the nation.
In Pasig City, Mayor Vico Sotto cruised to another term, proving that clean, competent governance still speaks loudest—even in a landscape long dominated by dynasties and populist noise. His brand of young, transparent leadership continues to capture not only the hearts of his constituents but also the imagination of a nation looking for honest change.
In Naga City, Leni Robredo’s triumphant return as mayor was nothing short of poetic. After facing political persecution and relentless online attacks following her vice presidency, she came home not with vengeance, but with vision. Her victory was more than local—it was symbolic. It said: integrity still counts. Public trust, once earned, doesn’t easily fade.
Closer to home, in San Fernando, Pampanga, Mayor Vilma Caluag fended off a well-oiled political machine. Her victory, widely seen as a defiance of dynastic maneuvering, sends a powerful message from Kapampangans: performance trumps pedigree. In Porac, Mayor Jing Capil similarly held his ground against traditional power blocs, proving that strong local leadership rooted in community connection still resonates deeply.
The Waning Spell of Celebrities
Now contrast these victories with the defeats of high-profile entertainers, boxers, and influencers who once dominated election surveys. In past elections, a movie career or championship belt often guaranteed a Senate seat. But 2025 was different. This time, the novelty wore thin. Filipino voters asked harder questions.
“May plataporma ba?”
“May nagawa ba?”
“May alam ba talaga?”
And if the answer wasn’t convincing, the votes simply didn’t come. In an era where misinformation and name recall once ruled, this shift is nothing short of revolutionary. So, there will be no Revillame, Salvador, Revilla, Pacquiao and additional Tulfo in the incoming Senate (there will still be a Lapid, a Padilla and a Villar to make Senate hearings interesting and entertaining).
A Nation at a Crossroads
This isn’t to say the Philippines is fully free of old habits. Political dynasties still hold sway. Rodrigo Duterte, despite being detained in The Hague, won as mayor of Davao. His children and even grandchildren continue to hold office. The Marcos camp, too, remains well-entrenched in national power.
But there is a discernible countercurrent, a quiet rebellion led not by the loud, but by the effective. The rise (or return) of figures like Bam, Kiko, Vico, Leni, Vilma, and Jing hints at a new criterion for leadership: one that prioritizes performance over popularity, track record over theatrics.
What does this mean for the future?
It means we may finally be entering a new era where governance is not just about survival, but about service. Where elections are not just popularity contests, but civic evaluations. Where voters are beginning to realize their power—and are more willing to use it wisely.
Beyond Elections
But elections are just one act in the drama of democracy. The real test is what comes next: How will these victors govern? Will they resist co-optation? Will they remain true to their platforms? And will we, the electorate, hold them accountable—not just in 2025, but every day until the next polls?
Because democracy isn’t a one-time ticket. It’s a shared, continuous responsibility. As voters, we must remain vigilant. As citizens, we must stay engaged. And as a nation, we must refuse to settle for the bare minimum when we have seen glimpses of what true, principled leadership can look like.
In my travels—often accompanied only by my Suzuki, my camera, and my trusty “super shoes”—I’ve walked through town plazas and public markets, talked to tricycle drivers and tindera, and I feel it in the air: Filipinos are not just tired. They’re waking up. They’ve tasted bad governance. Now, they’re learning to ask for better.
And when the people begin to demand more—not just from others, but from themselves—that’s when real change begins.