Comelec proclaims Senate winners

Photo courtesy of Senator-elect Bam Aquino

MANILA, Philippines—Political veterans and dynastic names secured the majority of the 12 Senate seats at stake in the 2025 midterm elections, with Sen. Bong Go and former Sen. Bam Aquino leading the race, based on the final official canvass released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The official results, released Friday, also underscored a shifting political landscape: key allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte and two liberal opposition candidates were among the top winners.

The outcome delivered an unexpected boost to Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of her looming impeachment trial in the Senate, while dealing a blow to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, whose candidates underperformed in what is traditionally a midterm show of strength.

Go, a longtime aide and Cabinet member under Duterte, topped the race with 27,121,073 votes (6.33%), while Aquino, a Liberal Party stalwart and a critic of the Duterte administration, followed closely with 20,971,899 votes (4.89%).

Former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa,  Duterte’s first national police chief and alleged executor of his deadly anti-drugs campaign, ranked third with 20,773,946 votes (4.85%). News anchor Erwin Tulfo, aligned with the Marcos slate and a consistent top contender in pre-election surveys, settled for fourth with 17,118,881 (4.00%).

Opposition candidate Kiko Pangilinan, a former vice presidential contender, clinched fifth place with 15,343,229 votes (3.58%).

The Comelec proclaimed the 12 winning senators on Saturday, May 17.

Voter dissatisfaction

According to political analyst Ronald Llamas, the results reflect “a vote against the administration,” rather than an endorsement of Duterte’s return to influence. “It’s a plebiscite on the president, it’s a referendum on the government and it looks like they lost there,” he said.

Five of the 12 winning senators were endorsed by Sara Duterte, including her father’s former lieutenants Go and Dela Rosa, and alliance candidates Imee Marcos and Camille Villar—both members of elite political families. Five other winners were considered allied with Marcos, while two—Aquino and Pangilinan—came from the opposition and were not expected to break into the top tier.

The Comelec reported 825,278,088 valid votes cast in the senatorial contest. Of these, candidates collectively received 428,489,615 votes, leaving more than 396 million votes either unassigned or invalid. A staggering 242,624,005 under-votes were recorded—ballots where voters selected fewer than 12 candidates—while 17,098,020 over-votes were voided for exceeding the allowed limit.

Top 12 senators-elect

1. Bong Go (PDP-Laban) – 27,121,073 (6.33%)

2. Bam Aquino (KNP) – 20,971,899 (4.89%)

3. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (PDP-Laban) – 20,773,946 (4.85%)

4. Erwin Tulfo (Lakas) – 17,118,881 (4.00%)

5. Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) – 15,343,229 (3.58%)

6. Rodante Marcoleta (Independent) – 15,250,723 (3.56%)

7. Ping Lacson (Independent) – 15,106,111 (3.53%)

8. Tito Sotto (NPC) – 14,832,996 (3.46%)

9. Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party) – 14,573,430 (3.40%)

10. Camille Villar (Nacionalista Party) – 13,651,274 (3.19%)

11. Lito Lapid (NPC) – 13,394,102 (3.13%)

12. Imee Marcos (Nacionalista Party) – 13,339,227 (3.11%)

Impeachment trial looms

The strong showing by Duterte allies may have implications for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is set to open in the Senate in July. She was impeached by the House in February on charges of misuse of public funds and allegedly plotting to assassinate President Marcos, charges she has denounced as politically motivated.

To be acquitted, Duterte needs the votes of at least nine senators. With at least two sitting senators known to be sympathetic to her and the election of several others seen as potential allies, analysts say acquittal remains within reach—though it is far from guaranteed.

“Definitely Sara gained in the election in her fight against impeachment,” said Llamas. “The impeachment will be uphill but not impossible.”

Duterte wins local race

Despite being detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague since March, Rodrigo Duterte won as mayor of Davao City in a landslide—underscoring his enduring political clout in his southern stronghold. He is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity related to his war on illegal drugs that left thousands of suspects dead during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Under Philippine law, candidates facing criminal charges, including those in detention, can run for office unless they have been convicted and have exhausted all appeals.

Kristina Conti, an assistant to counsel at the ICC, has said the court also is investigating Dela Rosa and Go for their role in the drug war.

Strong contenders fall short

Outside the winning circle were independent candidate Ben “Bitag” Tulfo with 12,090,090 votes (2.82%) and actor-politician Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (Lakas) with 12,027,845 (2.81%). Abby Binay and Benhur Abalos were also strong contenders, each garnering over 11 million votes.

Progressives and celebrities underperform

Progressive candidates like Teddy Casiño, Luke Espiritu, and Ka Leody de Guzman drew modest but notable vote shares, ranging from 4 to 6 million. Meanwhile, celebrities and personalities such as Manny Pacquiao and television game show host Willie Revillame failed to convert popularity into electoral victories.

The large number of under-votes suggests voters exercised caution, often choosing fewer than the maximum 12 candidates. The trend, analysts say, points to selective voting rooted in name recall, trust, and familiarity—benefiting returning senators and political clans.