“I trust the next generation of voters and politicians, many of whom are my students”
The recently concluded midterm election is remarkable and exceptional in the annals of Philippine elections for a number of reasons.
It witnessed a historic 81.65 percent voter turnout, marking the highest participation rate in the country’s midterm election history.
This surge was largely driven by young voters, whose strong engagement significantly influenced the electoral outcome. Their influence was marked by a strong demand for transparency, as they actively debated policies online and prioritized candidates with proven track records.
As President of the Movement of Disinformation, I can say disinformation in this election cycle was not as bad as I thought it would be, the exception being the narrative on the arrest, transfer, and detention of former President Duterte in the Hague to answer for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.
It is also this youth vote that may have paved the way for the come from behind good showing of Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino in the Senate race. Both consistently figured outside or in the margins of the magic 12 in pre-election surveys.
Yes, it its true that Aquino was usually in the last group of potential winners and Pangilinan was just outside of the winning circle, but the reporting of the horse race was not like that. It appeared that they had little chance. That’s why we were surprised.
Surveys are still valuable for the information they provide about demographics and issues, but in this cycle, we saw that they are not and should not be good guides about winnability.
Incidentally, in this cycle, Publicus Asia had the most accurate results in terms of ranking, which argues for looking at their methodology as compared to the usual face to face approach of the other survey firms.
In the past, celebrity power and high survey ranking were surefire ingredients of getting elected into public office.
But not this time around, Many so-called celebrities, have been resoundingly defeated. Willie Revillame, Ben Tulfo, and Philip Salvador failed to make it in the Magic 12.
The biggest loser in this midterm was the administration of President Marcos.
The Dutertes had gains, for sure in Davao City where they dominated, and in the Senate where more senators allied to them were elected, making the numbers in the looming impeachment trial challenging for conviction.
The 2025 Philippine election once again underscored the firm grip of political dynasties, an entrenched oligarchy sustained by feudal landownership and patronage politics. The system functions much like a modern caste structure, where access to political office is largely reserved for those born into privilege.
Be that as it may, Mark Anthony Santos, a city councilor, pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Senator Cynthia Villar in the race for the city’s sole congressional seat.
Pamela Baricuatro, a political neophyte, defeated Gwendolyn Garcia, who has been governor of Cebu from 2004 to 2013 and from 2019 to 2025.
The Velascos of Marinduque also lost and in Romblon and Catanduanes we have good candidates winning – Patrick Azanza and Trina Firmalo-Fabic respectively.
More than the senatorial race, the results of the local elections in the cities of Pasig, Quezon, and Baguio are more important for national politics. Vico Sotto, Joy Belmonte, and Benjie Magalong, all in their third and final term, are the future of Philippine politics.
I will write about the party list elections in the next column.
I do welcome the victories of Akbayan, Mamayang Liberal, ACT Teachers, and Kabataan PartyList. Among others, Chel Diokno and his colleagues, Leila De Lima, Tonchi Tinio, and Renee Co will be excellent legislators.
I am heartbroken about the defeat of Bayan Muna, although I am still hopeful Gabriela will still get a seat. There is also still much to reform our election system, which lack transparency and has far too many glitches to give us confidence in its results.
Even before the midterm election, I was already hopeful about Philippine politics.
I trust the next generation of voters and politicians, many of whom are my students.
Teaching in a dozen universities all over the country has convinced me the future is good for our country.
The winds of change is here and they will bring us to a better place.
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