The 2025 elections are fast approaching, and several showbiz personalities are making headlines as they enter or return to the political arena. The list includes a mix of seasoned politicians, newcomers, and those seeking reelection, blending entertainment and governance.
Among the big names seeking another term in the Senate are action stars Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Lito Lapid, alongside former Senate president and TV host Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Reentering the Senate race is sports icon and former Senator Manny Pacquiao.
TV personalities Ben and Erwin Tulfo are also joining the Senate race. Should they win, they will join their brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, in the upper house.
Veteran TV host Willie Revillame, former actor Phillip Salvador, doctor and social media personality Willie Ong, and singer-lawyer Jimmy Bondoc have also filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Senate.
Congressional and Local Elections
In the House of Representatives, Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde, Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, and her sons—Cavite 1st District Rep. Jolo Revilla and Agimat Party-list Rep. Bryan Padilla—are aiming to maintain their seats. Actor Marco Gumabao is eyeing the position of representative for the fourth district of Camarines Sur, while outgoing vice governor of Oriental Mindoro, Ejay Falcon, is running for second district representative of the province.
Meanwhile, National Artist for Film Nora Aunor is the second nominee for the People’s Champ Movement party list.
Reelection bids for local posts include 1st District Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez, Quezon City’s 5th District Councilor Alfred Vargas, and Pampanga Councilor JC Parker. Celebrity couple Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez are running for Leyte representative and Ormoc City mayor, respectively. Yul Servo seeks reelection as Manila vice mayor, while Angelu de Leon aims to stay in the Pasig City council.
Isko Moreno, returning to politics after a brief showbiz stint, is vying to regain the position of mayor in Manila, with his son, actor Joaquin Domagoso, running for a seat in the city council. They are joined by Mocha Uson, Lou Veloso, and Bong Alvarez, who are also running for councilor positions in Manila.
First-Time and Returning Candidates
Vilma Santos-Recto is running once again for Batangas governor, while her son, Luis Manzano, is entering politics for the first time as a vice governor aspirant. Marjorie Barretto, the former actress, is running for Caloocan City’s 1st District councilor, while Aljur Abrenica seeks a councilor position in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Other notable candidates include Dan Fernando for Bulacan governor, Enzo Pineda for QC 5th District councilor, and “It’s Showtime” host Ion Perez for Concepcion, Tarlac councilor.
Actor Roi Vinzon is aiming for a board member seat in Benguet District 1, and Monsour del Rosario is running for Makati City vice mayor.
Meanwhile, James Yap is seeking the 1st District Councilor position in San Juan, and Angelika dela Cruz is running for Malabon City vice mayor. Anjo Yllana is gunning for the vice-mayor position in Calamba, Laguna, while former beauty queen Maricel Morales aims to be a councilor in Angeles City.
Qualifications for Candidacy
According to the Philippine election code, candidates for senators, congressmen, and local officials must be able to read and write, be registered voters, and meet residency requirements. Age requirements vary: senators must be at least 35 years old, representatives at least 25, and local officials at least 23 years of age.
As the elections draw near, the participation of these showbiz personalities adds an exciting dimension to the political landscape of 2025.