The upcoming 2025 Philippine Senate elections are anticipated to see an unprecedented number of media celebrities vying for seats, with a total of 11 popular personalities in the running. This influx of celebrities is largely attributed to the power of name recall and branding in Filipino politics, where actors and news broadcasters hold significant influence over voters.
Among the notable celebrities expected to join the Senate are the Tulfo brothers, Erwin and Ben, who have garnered strong support in pre-election surveys. The election landscape also includes familiar faces like Robin Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Manny Pacquiao, all of whom have previously won seats in the Senate.
While the rise of media celebrities in politics reflects voters’ dissatisfaction with traditional politicians, experts warn of the implications of dynasties and the lack of issue-based politics in the country. The influence of celebrities on public sentiment is based on emotion and sentiment, rather than individual achievements or policy platforms.
As the Senate race approaches, the presence of celebrities like the Tulfo brothers and Revilla raises questions about the concentration of power within political families and the impact on democracy. Despite controversies surrounding some celebrity candidates, their established public personas often outweigh negative perceptions, highlighting the complex dynamics of celebrity in Philippine politics.
Source
Photo credit pcij.org
