MANILA – Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan pulled off massive surprises by placing inside the top five of the senatorial race of the 2025 midterm elections.
Aquino maintained his hold on the second place in the partial and unofficial tally from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday with 16,823,771 votes, while Pangilinan is currently at fifth spot with 12,301,896 votes.
Aquino, who was at the 14th spot during the 2019 senatorial elections, said he was surprised with his high placement, but credited his surge to the push of his volunteers and youth vote.
“Nagulat kami with the high standing,” Aquino said. “Nung unang beses ko sinabi na tatakbo ako, pang-No. 24 to No. 28 ako nun eh. In one year, ginapang natin ‘yung from 24 to the second spot.”
“Honestly kahit mag-No. 12 ako tuwang-tuwa na ako eh, but on Monday, we were hoping na sana mag-No. 8 tayo, mag-No. 9 or 10, so siyempre nakakatuwa itong nag No. 2 and hitting very good results in many areas in Luzon and Visayas,” he added.
“I guess pinakita ng kampanyang ito na kung gagalaw ang kabataan, kung gagalaw ‘yung taumbayan, kahit anong porma ng pulitika sa Pilipinas kayang baguhin, and I am hoping na pagkatapos magpasalamat, panahon na para magtrabaho,” he further said.
Pangilinan, who lost to Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during the 2022 national elections, stressed that he was also in disbelief when the results of the elections first came in on Monday night.
“Sa daming fake news na tinatanggap ko araw-araw nitong kampanya, akala ko disinformation,” Pangilinan said in a virtual presser. “I am very happy and thankful with the result.”
Reelectionist Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go is on top with 21,790,271 votes, while his ally Relectionist Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is at third spot with 16, 685, 378 votes, followed by Erwin Tulfo at No. 4 with 13, 814, 973 votes, and Rodante Marcoleta at sixth with 12, 228, 463 votes.
Placing at seventh to 11th place in the rankings are Panfilo Lacson (12,141,946), Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (11,930,352), Pia Cayetano (11,711,494), Camille Villar (11,025,650), and Manuel “Lito” Lapid (10,824,926).
Closely contesting for the 12th and final seat are incumbent senators Imee Marcos and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who tallied 10,723,868 and 9,744,844 votes, respectively./PN
