In the glittering modern-day Philippine elections that began after the EDSA Revolution, there is nothing like the senatorial race, where 12, or in some instances 24, candidates vie for spots in the upper house of Congress to, well, make laws for the land.
The presence of showbiz stars among the hopefuls, whether or not they’re competent enough to do such a job, makes this political exercise more intriguing.
in 2016 but fell short of winning
Often, these popular faces are accused of taking advantage of their fame to gain a coveted position. But if we look from another angle, the very profession they’re primarily known for may, in truth, be a big burden to them. What if one has a genuine heart to serve the people and, to prepare, has studied the lawmaker’s duty in silence, only to be mocked because he’s an actor, a TV personality, or an entertainer who is unlikely to be the kind of professional that can withstand the routine of a senator?
No thanks to those who were given the seat and essentially wasted it by not delivering as expected. They failed to help create a better perception of people who are following in their footsteps.
The impending loss of notable showbiz personalities in the midterm elections held last Monday (May 12) is generating a lot of talk, partly because of the suspense surrounding their potential to win all the way and pave the way for a juicy twist to their already-cinematic story. That action star Robin Padilla got the most votes among the senatorial candidates during the 2022 Elections—more than 26 million—suddenly made it look like every legitimate showbiz idol has a clear shot at winning a Senate post.
But wait—history hasn’t been all that kind to TV and movie personalities who take a shot at politics, especially in a high-stakes arena like the Senate. The list of those who tried and failed is longer than most people realize.
Take, for example, what happened in 1992, when five stars did not twinkle in their bid and were not even close enough. Legendary comedian Chiquito landed at 40, or a million and a half votes short of mathematically surpassing the last who made the cut. Rock god RJ Jacinto and Eddie Ilarde of Student Canteen fame had fewer votes. As that unforgettable catchphrase says, Napakasakit Kuya Eddie!
Rod Navarro, a character actor and a top product endorser, ended up ranked 69, while culinary icon Nora Daza could only amass 378,451 votes. That year’s top vote-getter had nearly 12 million to his name. And if there’s any consolation, he was ace comedian Tito Sotto.
Further into the ‘90s, PBA’s Ramon Fernandez, who won the most championships in league history, could only land 18th, while Rey Langit, that distinctive voice on the radio, ranked 25th.
On three occasions, a trio failed to reach the promised position each time. In the 2004 Elections, they were actresses Boots Anson-Roa and Pilar Pilapil, and TV host and broadcast journalist Jay Sonza. Three years later, the batch of electoral losers included actors Cesar Montano and Richard Gomez, and singer Victor Wood.
Moreno placed 16th during the 2016 elections
In 2016, the year Filipino voters brought a mayor from the Southern Philippines straight into the Palace, Isko Moreno placed 16th, Edu Manzano found himself ranked 21st, and Alma Moreno ended up 24th.
In the dramatic aftermath of the 2022 National Elections, household name Herbert Bautista’s 13 million votes were not enough to place him in the Senate, while Monsour Del Rosario, a star from that old-but-gold movie Eagle Squad, and Carl Balita, some guy you must have seen on billboards, placed 29th and 30th, respectively.
A good recall name or a familiar look is never a guarantee for victory. You need luck, a good narrative while campaigning, a strong party affiliation, and proper timing. A couple of the names mentioned above were previous winners who ended their run on a losing note.
Perhaps each one who lost the Senate race decided it was worth a try. They may also have spared themselves the agony of defeat had they instead chosen to serve the public in another way and left the act of dealing with the legislative process to statesmen naturally built for the task.
