Image: Facebook/Luis Manzano, Marco Gumabao, Ejay Falcon
Several celebrities who ran for office in the 2025 midterm elections woke up to their losses, among them national and local hopefuls.
Among those who lost in the elections were Luis Manzano, Marco Gumabao and Ejay Falcon who all led a full-blown campaign in their respective localities.
Manzano, who ran for the Batangas vice governor post, lost to incumbent Governor Dodo Mandanas. The TV host’s mother, screen veteran Vilma Santos-Recto, however, won the gubernatorial post, alongside his brother, Ryan Recto, who won the congressional seat.
Gumabao sought the Camarines Sur 4th district representative position but was defeated by Arnie Fuentebella, who surpassed the actor with over 20,000 votes. In a Facebook post, the actor appeared to have conceded his loss.
“This may not be the result we had hoped for but I know that we did our best and fought wholeheartedly,” he said in his Facebook page on Tuesday, May 13.
Meanwhile, Falcon, who is the incumbent vice governor of oriental Mindoro, accepted his defeat in the race for representative of the second district, saying he respects the decision of his constituents.
“We will return to being a private citizen but we will still help our fellowmen,” he said in a Facebook post. “Thank you so much for your support. This is not the end of Ejay Falcon’s journey of soaring high.”
Other entertainment personalities who lost in the elections were Manila mayoral candidate Raymond Bagatsing; Angelika Dela Cruz, who lost in the Malabon City vice mayoral race; Calamba City vice mayoral candidate Anjo Yllana; Marjorie Barretto who ran for Caloocan 1st district city councilor; and Dennis Padilla who sought to be elected as Caloocan 2nd district city councilor.
Ara Mina and Shamcey Supsup lost their bid as well for Pasig councilor posts, sharing a similar fate with councilor bets Enzo Pineda in Quezon City’s 5th district, Ali Forbes in Quezon City 4th district, David Chua in Manila 2nd district, Mocha Uson in Manila 3rd district, Aljur Abrenica in Angeles City, Pampanga, and Neil Coleta in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Victor Neri who, meanwhile, ran for Makati mayor post but ranked third among four candidates. Emilio Garcia also lost his mayoral bid in Bay, Laguna.
Bong Revilla, Phillip Salvador, Willie Revillame, Manny Pacquiao and Jimmy Bondoc have also been trailing behind the Senate Magic 12 in the partial and unofficial result. /edv