THOUGHTS | 2025 PHILIPPINE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

On May 12, 2025, the Philippines will choose 12 individuals to serve—or return—to the Senate. As someone grounded in political reality, I admit there are bad choices out there.

But let’s not pretend we haven’t seen worse in our history.

And if you're thinking of leaving the country because the "wrong" candidates win—where exactly are you headed? The U.S. used to be the fallback plan for many, but given their own current mess, I doubt it still feels like a sanctuary. No country is immune to unrest, not even the ones we idealize. People often point to the “Singapore model,” but even they had to go through tough (and violent) times to get where they are.

I could name my picks, but honestly—who am I to dictate anyone’s choices? Still, I have my standards. First, they should at least look the part. I want senators who project dignity on the global stage—leaders who can negotiate peace but also know when to take a stand.

Second, I approach this like basketball. Ever heard of the plus/minus stat? It measures how well a player contributes to both offense and defense. I don’t want a senator equivalent of someone who scores 20 points but shoots 10-for-40, or someone who keeps turning the ball over. Yes, mistakes happen. But the ability to bounce back from failure? That matters.

I don’t care about party lines. Voting straight is basically giving people a power boost they didn’t fully earn. Back in 2022, several forces united and won. Now they’re fighting each other. It was always bound to happen.

I'm also okay with supporting a long-time politician with a mediocre record—so long as he’s not actively damaging the country. Some people are frustrated with the current administration for not being as bold as the last one. But boldness isn’t always good; the last administration is now facing consequences precisely because they overreached.

Let’s talk about Bongbong Marcos. His father angered a lot of people with his authoritarian policies. That legacy still shadows BBM today. Now that he’s doing far less, people are still upset—just for a different reason.

Again, just because a player takes a lot of shots doesn’t mean he’s effective.

Take Donald Trump, for example. His second-term agenda is jam-packed with bills and policies. He’s doing way more than Joe Biden ever did, even if he spends his off-hours golfing. But volume doesn’t mean quality—most of his actions are hit-or-miss, and mostly miss. I even panicked about his tariff moves potentially messing up my Amazon, COMC, and eBay orders, so I went on a shopping spree in March just in case.

Here in the Philippines, our president and vice president often don’t see eye to eye. A president can undercut the VP’s power, or sometimes the VP self-sabotages. Still, there are VPs who win public favor and rise above expectations. Out of 15 vice presidents in our history, six eventually became president. But recently, aside from Sara Duterte, the last four VPs couldn’t make the leap—either due to lack of support or lack of initiative.

Now we’re at the midterms, and the Senate lineup might help shape the 2028 presidential race. A strong Senate bench helps a president—or future candidate—build momentum. While it’s not always decisive, any smart leader would want allies in the upper chamber.

So who will I vote for? If I go for a media personality, I’ll make sure they are seasoned senators. They may not be stellar performers, but I'd rather trust veterans with clean records over rookies with no platform or proven track record.

Get Sydrified.