The Philippine midterm elections drew in some surprising results as longstanding political figures and dynasties were defeated.
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile expressed his gratitude to supporters as he conceded after ranking 22nd in the partial and unofficial results of the Senate race with 5,269,115 votes.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagpakita ng suporta nitong mga nakaraang buwan! (Thank you to everyone who supported me in the past months!)” Enrile said in a statement.
“Nakakataba ng puso ang makita kayong lahat muli para sa ikabubuti ng kinabukasan ng ating bansa! (It is heartwarming to see you all for the betterment of our nation’s future),” he added.
The 95-year-old will retire after more than 50 years of public service. He was previously in position for four terms in the Senate during the 8th (1987-1992), 11th (1995 to 2001), 13th to 16th (2004 to 2016) Congresses.
Enrile served during seven presidents throughout his political career: Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte.
Political dynasties tumble in Manila, San Juan and Pasig
The reign of the Estradas in Manila and San Juan reached its end in the midterm as their respective opponents snatched the top posts from within their reach by a wide margin.
Former President and incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada lost to Francisco Domagoso, more popularly known as Isko Moreno, in the mayoral race. Domagoso received 357,925 votes against Estrada’s 210,605.
“I thank God and every Manileño who participated in this democratic process. We have received the mandate of the people and we are faced with a great challenge to uplift the lives of the people of Manila,” Domagoso said as reported by The Philippine Star.
Meanwhile, in San Juan, Estrada’s granddaughter — incumbent Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito — was defeated by Francis Zamora in the mayoral race. Zamora garnered 35,060 while Ejercito got 24,813 votes.
Zamora ended the five-decade rule of the Estrada-Ejercito clan in San Juan, which started in 1969.
Vico Sotto — son of a showbiz couple comedian Vic Sotto and actress Connie Reyes — ended the 29-year reign of the Eusebio political clan in Pasig City as he garnered 204,611 votes against incumbent Mayor Bobby Eusebio with 118,571 votes.
Binay still holds Makati
Incumbent Makati Mayor Abby Binay won the mayoral race over her brother Junjun. However, their father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, lost to rival Kid Peña in the race for first district congressman. Peña got 71,035 votes against Binay’s 65,229.
