A catch-up with TV's 'senatoriables'

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Election season is back, and with it comes the inevitable collision of politics and showbiz. So yes, folks, that means it's time once again for The Manila Times' "Lights, Camera, Boto!" coverage.

The camera zooms in on former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos during the press conference of the Alyansa senatoriables: (From left) former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Sotto, (Abalos), Sen. Francis Tolentino and the party's campaign manager and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco

For those who may have forgotten, this special series was born out of the reality that the line between entertainment and governance practically vanishes in the Philippines, especially when candidates start wooing voters.

Celebrities become politicians, politicians become celebrities, and somewhere in between, our fellow citizens get swept up in the glitz and drama, often voting based on image and popularity rather than platform and credibility. Lights, Camera, Boto! aims to help voters see beyond the spectacle, to critically discern who among these personalities can truly deliver in public service.

Former Senate President Tito Sotto — a legend both of television and the legislative branch — is raring to return to government.

So, with that refresher in mind, The T-Zone's first official coverage of the season took us to the February 18 press conference of Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas at Citadines Manila, where the administration-backed Senate slate was formally introduced.

Led by campaign manager and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, the lineup included Makati Mayor Abigail Binay, former Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIA Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo, Las Piñas Congressman Camille Villar, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and former Senate President Tito Sotto. (The full slate also features Senators Bong Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos, who eventually joined the grand campaign rally later that day at Cuneta Astrodome.)

As expected, the ballroom buzzed as these political heavyweights tackled pressing issues, among them the hot, hot impeachment talk surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte, legislative agendas, governance challenges, and much more.

Naturally, the hard news beats focused on these topics (they had no other choice), while The T-Zone took its usual cozy corner where a small but mighty group from the entertainment beat waited for something a little less... procedural.

And we got it.

Just as we started resigning ourselves to another hour of serious discourse, the candidates made a declaration straight out of an idealistic teleserye script. The senatorial candidates of Alyansa, in a dramatic call for unity, urged an end to political bickering and negative campaigning.

I hope we can help de-escalate rather than escalate all that because nothing good will come out of it. No to negative campaigning, no to harsh remarks that could further divide us when our elections are already very polarizing."

Of course, he — and the rest of the team — were addressing the elephant in the room: a certain former leader had publicly suggested bombing the Senate to make way for his preferred candidates. But The T-Zone is all for leaving that political drama to the hard news folks.

Theirs is a well-meaning sentiment, to be sure, but one that has us on our toes nonetheless. Because, let's face it, Philippine elections are a spectator sport, and a campaign without conflict would be a shock to the system. Still, there can be no doubt that campaign season 2025 is bound to be as thrilling as ever.

On that note, The T-Zone managed to corner two Alyansa candidates as the press con ended, whose very presence perfectly fit the "Lights, Camera, Boto!" narrative: former Senate President Tito Sotto — one of showbiz's most successful exports to government —, and former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos — a prominent member of the influential Abalos political clan of Mandaluyong City.

Entertainment-wise, one is an undisputed legend of Philippine television, and the other, a recent showbiz dabbler who made waves in primetime last year.

Ever the composed statesman, Tito Sen revealed in this T-Zone catch-up that despite being away from the Senate, he was never truly disconnected. "I was always in touch with my colleagues in the Senate. My former peers never stopped updating me like Sen. Migz [Zubiri] and Sen. Loren [Legarda]. But of course, we always keep abreast with what's happening in government, especially what our people need."

Asked if he felt ready and raring to return after a three-year break — his last bid for the vice presidency in 2022 falling short — Tito Sen, the "T" in the legendary TVJ trio was quick to reply, "Of course!" Then he laughingly admitted, "But we really enjoyed the therapy of 'Eat Bulaga!'"

Acknowledging he is a shoo-in for the elections, with every survey placing him in the Top 5, Tito Sen graciously said, "Thank you for saying that, but I hope the people don't just remember my name. I hope they have not forgotten what I have done in the past 24 years in the Senate," he added, hoping his long track record would speak for itself.

Meanwhile, former DILG Secretary Abalos, whose political credentials are as solid as his unexpected TV appearances in GMA Network's action-packed "Black Rider" and full-on drama "Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law," acknowledged the role of media in elevating visibility and shaping public perception.

In fact, zooming in on the influence of entertainment, The T-Zone asked the longtime Mandaluyong mayor how his cameos on the shows of Ruru Madrid and Jo Berry, respectively, have helped him on the campaign trail.

He enthused, "A huge help! It has really made a difference. People always call me the guy from 'Lilet Matias!' especially the older folks. It's nice. That's how they recognize me."

Teasing the former BBM cabinet member if we can expect to see more of his artistic talents in the coming caucuses, he gave a hearty laugh and confessed, "Hindi kasi ako kumakanta. Hindi din ako sumasayaw. Ang dalawang yun ang problema ko. Siguro pwede nalang ako mag-magic — uy, biro lang yon (The problem is I neither sing nor dance. Maybe I could do magic tricks — but just kidding)!"

Wrapping up each catch-up, The T-Zone finally asked both men to comment on the discussion during the press con regarding their party's call for an end to dirty campaign tactics.

Tito Sen — a perpetual top-rater in every election he has pursued and therefore no stranger to being at the receiving end of pre-election mudslinging — simply smiled and said, "That's always the goal. But let's see."

Sec. Abalos similarly tried to be positive and said, "Sana nga. Pero alam mo naman tayo, mahilig sa drama (I hope so. But you know us — we love drama)."

And with that, the stage is set. The lights are on and the cameras are rolling as we once again prepare to fulfill our all-important duty to vote. Because we must—for our beloved country, for our children, and for the bright future that the Filipino people deserve. And that is precisely why Lights, Camera, Boto! is back, committed as ever to guiding voters in discerning who will truly shine in serving the nation.

We are rolling!