Vice President Sara Duterte welcomed the initial results of the 2025 midterm elections, expressing gratitude to supporters as five of her senatorial bets landed in the Top 12 based on partial and unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“I acknowledge the results of the election and express my deep gratitude to all the supporters who stood with us throughout this journey,” Duterte said in a statement released late Monday.
“This is not the end—it’s a renewed beginning. We invite all citizens—regardless of background or past affiliation—to join us in building a powerful and principled opposition,” she added.
Duterte campaigned for the 10 senatorial candidates endorsed by her father—former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague—plus two adopted candidates, including presidential sister and re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos.
Based on the initial vote count released by the Comelec through its media server as of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, five of her key allies are likely to secure seats in the Senate for the upcoming 20th Congress—an interesting development amid her looming impeachment trial.
Re-electionist Senators Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go (21.7 million votes) and Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa (16.6 million votes)—loyalists of the Duterte patriarch—are poised to secure fresh six-year terms as they remain at first and third places, respectively.
SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who staunchly defended the Dutertes in previous congressional hearings, broke into the ‘Top 12.’ He is currently placed at sixth with over 12.2 million votes—thanks to his ties with influential church group Iglesia ni Cristo.
Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar—who was also in the ticket of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, but later aligned herself with the Vice President—gained over 11 million votes and is so far ranked at number 10.
Senator Marcos, meanwhile, is hanging at the 12th spot with over 10.7 million votes. The numbers are based on 80.50 percent of election returns processed by the Comelec, representing 46.19 million votes out of 69.7 million registered voters.
Vice President Duterte told her followers the results are “not what we had hoped for,” but assured them their commitment to their supporters remains.
This year’s midterm elections are expected to reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential elections, with VP Duterte positioning herself as an opposition figure despite retaining influential allies in the Senate.