MANILA — Dozens of celebrities ran for public office either as political neophytes or reelectionists, including action star Robin Padilla, the No. 1 senator on his first try, and showbiz contemporary Richard Gomez, who successfully swapped local positions with his wife Lucy Torres.
In photos, here are the showbiz personalities who have won or are leading the race in the 2022 elections:
ROBIN PADILLA | Senator
Actor Robin Padilla talks to the crowd at the Marcos-Duterte UniTeam miting de avance in Parañaque City on May 7, 2022. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News
DANIEL FERNANDO | Bulacan Governor
Reelectionist Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando. Provincial Government of Bulacan handout
ALEX CASTRO | Bulacan Vice Governor
EJAY FALCON | Oriental Mindoro Vice Governor
ARJO ATAYDE | Representative, Quezon City 1st Congressional District
Actor Arjo Atayde (right) joins fellow candidates Quezon City Mayor and reelectionist Joy Belmonte (middle) and running mate Gian Sotto (left) during a campaign sortie in March. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
JOLO REVILLA | Representative, Cavite 1st Congressional District
LANI MERCADO | Representative, Cavite 2nd Congressional District
DAN FERNANDEZ | Representative, Santa Rosa, Laguna
JASON ABALOS | Provincial Board Member, Nueva Ecija 4th District
RICHARD GOMEZ | Representative, Leyte 4th Congressional District
LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ | Ormoc City Mayor
Celebrity couple Lucy and Richard Gomez. Instagram: @richardgomezinstagram
YUL SERVO | Manila Vice Mayor
Yul Servo (left) files his certificate of candidacy with Manila Mayor candidate Honey Lacuna-Pangan in October 2021. Raya Capulong, ABS-CBN News
JAVI BENITEZ | City of Victorias Mayor
INA ALEGRE | Mayor, Pola, Oriental Mindoro
COUNCILORS
- Alfred Vargas, Quezon City
- Aiko Melendez, Quezon City
- Angelu de Leon, Pasig City
- Vandolph Quizon, Parañaque City
- Jomari Yllana, Parañaque City
- Jhong Hilario, Makati City
- Lou Veloso, Manila
- Nash Aguas, Cavite City
- Leren Bautista, Los Baños, Laguna
- Mikee Morada, Lipa, Batangas
Robin Padilla, Ejay Falcon, Daniel Fernando, Arjo Atayde, Alex Castro, Jolo Revilla, Dan Fernandez, Jason Abalos, Yul Servo, Javi Benitez, Ina Alegre, Halalan 2022