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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
May 15, 2025 | 2:33pm
A man votes at a polling station during mid-term elections in Manila on May 12, 2025.
AFP / Jam Sta Rosa
MANILA, Philippines — The 2025 midterm elections were widely seen as a showdown between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, with each fielding their own slate of candidates. But who really won?
Democracy did, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
Marcos and Duterte, once allies and now political rivals, each secured at least five seats in the senatorial race. Surprise winners such as former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan helped prevent either camp from gaining a decisive majority.
In his first press briefing after the elections, Escudero dismissed narratives framing the polls as a two-sided battle. He said peaceful elections ultimately meant a victory for the Filipino people.
“Hindi kulay-politika ang nanalo kapag may matagumpay na halalan. Ang panalo ay ang ating mga kababayan. Ang panalo ay ang ating bansa. Ang panalo ay ang ating demokrasya. Dahil pinakita natin na pwede tayong magbangayan, mag-away, hindi magkasundo sa maraming bagay pero kaya pa rin ating magdaos na isang mapayapang halalan kung saan pinapakinggan natin ang boses ng kada Pilipino,” Escudero said.
(It is not political colors that win if there are successful elections. The winner is our people. The winner is our nation. The winner is democracy. Because we showed that we could argue, we could fight, we could not get along on certain issues but we can carry out peaceful elections where the voice of every Filipino is heard.)
With the surprise win of Duterte-backed Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, senators allied with the Davao camp are expected to grow in number. Asked what would happen if the Senate majority is not aligned with the president, Escudero said he hoped lawmakers were mature enough to work together on legislation that benefits the public.
However, he admitted that there may be some delays when it comes to passing certain bills.
“Hindi naman porket oposisyon, no ka nalang nang no kahit tama na pinapanukala ng gobyerno. Hindi naman porket administrasyon, yes ka nalang nang yes kahit mali na ang ginagawa ng gobyerno. I think we've outgrown that,” Escudero said.
(Just because you are in opposition, does not mean you keep saying no even if the government’s policy is right. Just because you are in opposition, does not mean you keep saying yes to what the government is doing when it is wrong. I think we’ve outgrown that.)
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro recently said that genuine opposition is welcome but obstructionism is not. She said that true opposition serves the public interest, while obstructionists are driven by self-interest and misinformation. She warned that those who spread fake news would be confronted.
But Escudero appeared to disapprove of the notion, saying the time for fighting is done.
“Regardless of those labels of being oppositionist or obstructionist. I think we can find and we should find common ground in spite and despite the results of this election,” the senator said.
