There was a time when a movie star running for public office was considered novel. Nowadays, the list of celebrities running in the upcoming May 12, 2025 midterm elections reads like a a star-studded cast.
Among those who have submitted their certificates of candidacy are National Artist Nora Aunor (party list representative), Vilma Santos (congresswoman), Luis Manzano (governor), Abby Viduya (congresswoman), DJ Durano (mayor), Marjorie Barretto (councilor), Ara Mina (councilor), Zanjoe Marudo (party list representative), Lino Cayetano (congressman), Ion Perez (councilor), Phillip Salvador (senator), Cai Cortez (councilor), Aaron Villaflor (board member), Rommel Padilla (mayor), Dennis Padilla (councilor), Anjo Yllana (vice mayor), Maricel Morales (councilor), Sam Verzosa (mayor), Javi Benitez (congressman), Willie Revillame (senator), Wendell Ramos (councilor), Ejay Falcon (congressman), Ben and Erwin Tulfo (senators), Luis Chavit Singson (senator), Raymond Bagatsing (mayor), Adrian Alandy (councilor), Mocha (councilor), Aljur Abrenica (councilor), Enzo Pineda (councilor), Bobet Vidanes (vice mayor), Angelika de la Cruz (vice mayor), Neil Coleta (councilor), Monsour del Rosario (congressman), BJ Forbes (councilor), Isko Moreno (mayor), and his son Joaquin Domagoso (councilor), and Lani Mercado (congresswoman) and son Jolo Revilla (congressman).
Beauty queens Shamcey Supsup and Samantha Panlilio are vying for party list seats, while Miss Cosmo finalist Ahtisa Manalo is running for councilor.
Internet personalities have also joined the race, with Rosmar Tan Pamulaklakin running for councilor and Wilbert Tolentino seeking a party list seat.
Former Senate President Tito Sotto is once again running for the Senate. Re-electionists include Alfred Vargas (councilor), Aiko Melendez (councilor), Angelu de Leon (councilor), Lito Lapid (senator), Lou Veloso (councilor), Jhong Hilario (councilor), Richard Gomez (mayor) and his wife Lucy Torres (congresswoman), Alex Castro (vice governor), Daniel Fernando (governor), Arjo Atayde (congressman), and Bong Revilla (senator).
Senator Bong is running for re-election as part of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos’ Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate.
Revilla is making a strong case for another term based on his track record of legislative achievements that includes landmark measures such as the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” (RA 11997), the Expanded Coverage of Centenarians Act (RA 11982), and the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act” (RA 11984), “Free College Entrance Examinations Act” (RA 12006), Granting Night Shift Differential Pay to Government Employees (RA 11701), and “Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act” (RA 11909). He is also the author of the law providing for the legitimation of children born outside of wedlock and the motorcycle helmet act, among many others. As he looks toward another term, Revilla promises to continue advocating for social justice, worker welfare, and public infrastructure, noting that the trust given to him by voters has been his driving force in the Senate.
“Sa ating halos dalawang dekadang paninilbihan bilang senador, marami na po tayong naipasang mga batas na talagang pinakikinabangan ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi po natin sinayang ang tiwala ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Revilla said.
When asked about the surge of celebrities running for office this coming year, Senator Imee Marcos pointed out to name recall as a significant factor.
At a recent Kamuning Bakery event, Senator Imee said: “Higit sa lahat, ang nakikita ko ‘yung issue lalo sa national, pagkat ang hirap hirap mangampanya sa buong kapulungan, so ‘yung name recall at ‘yung pagkakakilala sa artista ay bentaha talaga.”
What is important, she said, is for voters to learn to discern which candidates to support.
“Demokrasya nga to kaya lahat ay tatakbo. ‘Yung gusto natin syempre sundan natin, ‘yung iba takbuhan natin palayo kung ayaw natin.”
Marcos made it clear that while she remains with the Nacionalista Party, she has distanced herself from her brother’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate, citing internal conflicts within the alliance. “Ayoko doon sa alyansa dahil magulo yun,” she explained.
“I prefer to be able to cross the line to speak to all,” she also said.
On the topic of succession and whether she is ready to run for president, Marcos expressed her support for Vice President Sara Duterte as the next leader. “Ang ating successor ay si Inday Sarah… Huwag naman nating ginugulo o dahil sa sariling kondisyon ay sinisiraan. Ayoko ‘yung binu-bully. Ayoko ng kuyog.”
