In the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, there was an influx of celebrities vying for both national and local positions. Although a few are topping the partial and unofficial vote counts, several others find it challenging to turn their fame into actual electoral victory.
Winners so far
Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagaso staged a significant political resurgence, winning back the position of Manila’s mayor with over 527,000 votes—significantly surpassing his competitors Honey Lacuna and Sam Verzosa. Prior to this, Domagaso had been at the helm of Manila from 2019 through 2022.
The Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto photo from Facebook/VSRECTOArjo Atayde kept his position as the representative for Quezon City's first district.
Representative Richard Gomez of Leyte’s Fourth District has been re-elected, and his spouse, Lucy Torres-Gomez, has likewise won another term as the mayor of Ormoc City.
During her second try, ex-broadcaster Sol Aragones was declared the new governor of Laguna.
Lani Mercado-Revilla contested without opposition in Cavite's Second District and successfully earned another term as representative. Additionally, her son, Jolo Revilla, looks set to claim victory for the First District congressional position.
In Batangas, Vilma Santos-Recto won the gubernatorial race. Her younger son, Ryan Christian Recto, clinched the lone district seat as Lipa City's representative.
Daniel Fernando has won a third term as the governor of Bulacan, whereas Alex Castro was elected again for vice governor.
Lost bids
Television presenter Luis Manzano failed in his attempt to become the vice governor of Batangas. This was his inaugural run for public office alongside his mother, Vilma Santos.
In Camarines Sur, actor Marco Gumabao did not succeed in winning the Fourth District congressional race.
At present, lagging behind the top 12 positions in the preliminary and non-official senate tally are actor-turned-senator Bong Revilla, musician and ex-Pagcor official Jimmy Bondoc, seasoned actor Phillip Salvador, and television presenter Willie Revillame.
Comedians Actor Anjo Yllana, Deputy Mayor of Manila Yul Servo, along with actress Ara Mina likewise did not manage to secure victory in their individual contests.
Shamcey Supsup, who is both a beauty queen and an architect, failed in her attempt to become a councilor in Pasig.
Actor Raymond Bagatsing did not succeed in his bid for Manila mayor, whereas Ejay Falcon, who currently serves as the vice governor of Oriental Mindoro, lost in the competition for the provincial Second District congressional seat.
Actress Angelika dela Cruz placed second in the vice mayoral race in Malabon, while actor Zanjoe Marudo, a second nominee of the ASAP NA party-list, is currently trailing behind.
Several other celebrity candidates also failed to secure electoral wins, including: DJ Durano (mayoral candidate in Sogod, Cebu); Paul Alvarez (Manila Third District councilor candidate); Enzo Pineda (Quezon City Fifth District councilor candidate); Monsour del Rosario (vice mayoral candidate in Makati); Arnold Vegafria (mayoral candidate in Olongapo City); Abby Viduya (Parañaque First District councilor candidate); Ali Forbes (Quezon City Fourth District councilor candidate); Dennis Padilla (Caloocan City Second District councilor candidate); Rommel Padilla (mayoral candidate in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija); Roi Vinzon; and Jinkee Pacquiao.