By: Margaret Padilla
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Several celebrities and athletes who ran for national and local public office in the recent 2022 elections last May 9, were able to secure seats, whether as political newcomers or re-electionists.
ROBIN PADILLA
With more than 26 million votes, action star Robin Padilla emerged as the leading candidate in the senatorial race, according to an unofficial, partial tally. He was running for Senate for the first time.
ARJO ATAYDE
Arjo Atayde, an actor, is poised to win the 1st Congressional District of Quezon City after receiving 111,742 votes, or 66.85 percent of the total votes cast. His main opponent, incumbent congressman Onyx Crisologo, received 31.44 percent of the vote, or 52,554 votes.
LANI MERCADO and JOLO REVILLA
Actress Lani Mercado-Revilla was easily elected as Cavite’s 2nd District representative. The incumbent Bacoor City Mayor received 168,385 votes, or 86.05 percent of all votes.
Meanwhile, her son, Jolo Revilla, an actor and incumbent Vice Governor will represent Cavite’s 1st District. He received 52.33 percent of the vote, or 101,809 votes, with Paul Abaya receiving 47.67 percent of the vote or 92,761 votes.
RICHARD GOMEZ and LUCY TORRES-GOMEZ
Richard Gomez, the outgoing mayor of Ormoc City, is set to win the 4th District representative seat in Leyte. Gomez received 148,941 votes, or 55.81 percent of the vote, to Goyo Larrazabal’s 44.19 percent, or 117, 912 votes.
Meanwhile, his wife, actress Lucy Torres-Gomez, was declared the winner of the Ormoc City, Leyte, mayoral election. The outgoing Leyte 4th District Representative was elected with 73,866 votes or 62.28 percent. Former Ormoc City mayor Edward “Ondo” Codilla was her opponent.
EJAY FALCON
On Wednesday, Ejay Falcon, the winner of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus, was sworn in as the vice governor of Oriental Mindoro. Falcon received 226, 875 votes, or 54.99 percent of the total votes.
NASH AGUAS
Nash Aguas, the former child actor, and mainstay of the TV show Goin Bulilit is set to make his political debut as a Cavite City councilor. With 29,600 votes, the 23-year-old celebrity is currently ranked second on the councilor list.
JAVI BENITEZ | City of Victorias Mayor
Actor Javi Benitez was declared the winner of the mayoral election in Victorias City, Negross Occidental, on Tuesday after gathering 36,263 votes, or 73.23 percent of the total votes.
DODOT JAWORSKI and JAMES YAP
Former PBA player Dodot Jaworski, the son of basketball legend Robert Jaworski has won the bid for vice-mayor of Pasig City; while another PBA player, James Yap has been elected as a councilor of San Juan City’s first district.
Other celebrity winners:
Daniel Fernando, Bulacan Governor
Alex Castro, Bulacan Vice-Governor
Dan Fernandez | Representative, Santa Rosa, Laguna
Jason Abalos, Provincial Board Member, Nueva Ecija 4th District
Ina Alegre, Mayor, Pola, Oriental Mindoro
Yul Servo, Manila Vice Mayor
Alfred Vargas, Councilor, Quezon City
Aiko Melendez, Councilor, Quezon City
Angelu de Leon, Councilor, Pasig City
Vandolph Quizon, Councilor, Parañaque City
Jomari Yllana, Councilor, Parañaque City
Jhong Hilario, Councilor, Makati City
Lou Veloso, Councilor, Manila
Leren Bautista, Councilor, Los Baños, Laguna
Mikee Morada, Councilor, Lipa, Batangas