Worst batch of Senate bets ever

There is a troubling shortage of competent lawmaker-hopefuls and a surplus of entertainment personalities and political dynasts in the lineup for the 2025 midterm elections, one of the most crucial polls in recent history because it is set against the backdrop of a politically fractured Philippines. 

Fractured because of the collapse of the once-unifying “UniTeam” alliance, which has splintered into rival factions, blurring the lines between administration and authentic opposition. But more concerning is the rise of Senate candidates who have little to no business being in politics, much more in Congress.

With former president Rodrigo Duterte now facing trial before the International Criminal Court and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, staring down into impending impeachment hearings, Filipinos face not just political chaos but an urgent task: to elect senators who can steady the nation.

Yet the current roster of Senate bets leaves much to be desired. 

Topping pre-election surveys are Ben and Erwin Tulfo, two broadcast personalities looking to join their brother, Raffy, in the Senate. Both their campaigns were jolted by disqualification cases, though these were ultimately dismissed by the Commission on Elections. 

Meanwhile, Camille Villar is poised to replace her mother Cynthia, potentially joining her brother Mark and further cementing the political influence of one of the country’s wealthiest and most influential families.

The Cayetanos, too, are aiming to solidify their dynasty, with Pia seeking to return to the Senate and join her brother Allan. It’s a feat accomplished by the Estradas, after Jinggoy — despite being convicted of bribery — won alongside JV Ejercito in 2022.

Even more alarming, these dynasties could soon share the Senate floor with entertainers. A study by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism found that if survey trends continue, 11 of the 24 Senate seats could be filled by celebrities, or nearly half the chamber.

To be clear, the Constitution sets low thresholds for candidacy: a senatorial bet must be at least 35 years old, literate, and a Philippine resident for two years. But the fact that these bare minimum requirements seem enough to win office is disheartening. That entertainers with no background in policymaking or governance may dominate the country’s highest lawmaking body signals a democracy in decline.

While the Varsitarian endorses no one, in the spirit of independent journalism, it would be a disservice to the truth — and to UST’s motto, “Veritas in Caritate” (truth in charity) — to ignore that far more capable candidates remain largely sidelined in surveys.

Former state auditor Heidi Mendoza, who had exposed anomalous transactions in the Makati city government and the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, offers strong credentials to embody the Senate’s checks-and-balances role.

Three-term senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who has authored nearly 300 bills, many focused on food security and farmers’ welfare, remains one of the few bright spots in a lineup clouded by celebrity and name recall. 

UST faculty member Angelo de Alban, often brushed aside in mainstream discourse, also deserves a second look. His platforms on education, health, agriculture, and housing, coupled with his background in law, offer a vision grounded in service and not spectacle. 

But for every credible candidate, the list of questionable ones grows longer: televangelist and former FBI’s Most Wanted Apollo Quiboloy; former Marcos aide Vic Rodriguez; and presidential sibling-turned-Duterte defender Imee Marcos.

No candidate illustrates the dangers of celebrity politics more than television host Willie Revillame. After previously admitting he had no knowledge of lawmaking and rejecting a Senate bid, Revillame filed his candidacy in 2025. He openly admitted he has no platform, and said he’ll only make one after he wins.

This absurdity devalues not only the electoral process but also the legacy of statesmen who once dignified the Senate. Figures such as Jovito Salonga, Jose Diokno, and Rene Saguisag have embodied the upper chamber’s mission to enact national politics that will promote Filipinos’ welfare and the rule of law.

What voters now face is not just a weak lineup, but a Senate slowly turning into a stage — populated not by legislators, but by entertainers and political scions.

Church and civil society groups have long urged Filipinos to vote according to their conscience. But in 2025, conscience must be paired with consciousness — a full awareness of what is at stake. With a Senate slate heavy on personality and light on policy, voters must be deliberate in their choices. 

As Pope Francis said, “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself so that those who govern can govern.” In 2025, meddling means making a conscious vote — one that resists spectacle and upholds substance.