THE WINNERS WHO LOST

First published: February 9, 2021 Last updated: August 6, 2024

Are there sure winners in a senatorial election?

The first post-EDSA senatorial election was held on May 11, 1987. At that time, the country still elected 24 Senators. In 1992, 24 Senators were likewise elected, but the first 12 who obtained the highest number of votes served for six years, while the remaining 12 served for only three years. In 1995, only 12 Senators were elected into office.

The second post-EDSA senatorial election was held on May 11, 1992. At this time, the incumbent Senators elected in 1987 were up for reelection. Three among them lost. And this is when this article will begin counting.

“A total of 18 incumbent senators lost their bid for reelection.”

Starting in the 1992 senatorial election until the latest senatorial election in 2022, or a total of 11 senatorial elections, a total of 18 incumbent Senators lost their bid for reelection. In addition, a total of 29 former Senators lost their bid to return to the Senate in this more than three decades of senatorial elections every three years. Four among them even lost twice in their double attempts at a comeback.

“A total of 29 former Senators lost their bid to return to the Senate.”

In the latest senatorial elections of 2022, more than 20% of reelectionists lost. In the senatorial elections of 2019 and in the one immediately preceding that in 2016, almost 30% of reelectionists lost in 2019, and 40% of reelectionists lost in 2016. In addition, two former Senators lost their bid to return to the Senate in 2022, and four former Senators lost their bid to return to the Senate in 2019.

In 2004 and in 1992, a total of three reelectionists lost in each of these senatorial elections. In addition, six former Senators lost their bid to return to the Senate in 2004.

“There is no assurance or guarantee for an incumbent Senator to be reelected into office.”

Given this mind-boggling rundown of numbers through the years, it could be said with certainty that there is no assurance or guarantee for an incumbent Senator to be reelected into office even after serving six years in the position. In addition, there is likewise no assurance or guarantee for a returning Senator to once again occupy the office he or she once held.

“Being a topnotcher in a previous senatorial election does not mean an automatic victory.”

Furthermore, being a topnotcher in a previous senatorial election does not mean an automatic victory in one’s bid to return to the Senate. Mar Roxas ranked 1^st in 2004, then lost in 2019. Tito Sotto ranked 1^st in 1992, and 3^rd in 1998, but lost in 2007.

“Having been elected as Senator for multiple terms in the past does not mean an automatic victory.”

Moreover, having been elected as Senator for multiple terms in the past does not mean an automatic victory in their bid to return to the Senate. Serge Osmeña won in 1995, 2001 and 2010, but lost in 2016 (as a reelectionist) and 2019. Juan Ponce Enrile won in 1987, 1995 and 2010, but lost in 2001 (as a reelectionist) and 2019. John Osmeña won in 1987, 1992 and 1998, but lost in 2004 (as a reelectionist) and 2007.     

YEAR	REELECTIONIST	REMARKS	RETURNING	REMARKS
2022	Dick Gordon	Rank #5 in 2016	Gringo Honasan	Rank #12 in 2013
	Leila de Lima	Rank #12 in 2016	Sonny Trillanes	Rank #9 in 2013
2019	Bam Aquino	Rank #7 in 2013	Jinggoy Estrada	Rank #2 in 2010
	JV Ejercito	Rank #11 in 2013	Mar Roxas	Rank #1 in 2004
			Serge Osmeña	Rank #10 in 2010 Rank #3 in 2001 Rank #7 in 1995
			Juan Ponce Enrile	Rank #5 in 2010 Rank #11 in 1995 Rank #24 in 1987
2016	Serge Osmeña	Rank #10 in 2010 Rank #3 in 2001 Rank #7 in 1995
2013			Dick Gordon	Rank #5 in 2004
			Migz Zubiri	Rank #13 in 2007
			Jun Magsaysay	Rank #6 in 2001 Rank #3 in 1995
			Jamby Madrigal	Rank #4 in 2004
			Ernie Maceda	Rank #6 in 1992
2010			Kit Tatad	Rank #8 in 1995 Rank #22 in 1992
2007	Ralph Recto	Rank #12 in 2001
			Tito Sotto	Rank #3 in 1998 Rank #1 in 1992
			John Osmeña	Rank #8 in 1998 Rank #23 in 1992 Rank #4 in 1987
			Nikki Coseteng	Rank #12 in 1995 Rank #17 in 1992
			Tessie Aquino-Oreta	Rank #12 in 1998
2004	Bobby Barbers	Rank #5 in 1998
	John Osmeña	Rank #8 in 1998 Rank #23 in 1992
	Robert Jaworski	Rank #9 in 1998
			Ernie Maceda	Rank #6 in 1992 Rank #19 in 1987
			Orly Mercado	Rank #7 in 1992 Rank #3 in 1987
			Kit Tatad	Rank #8 in 1995 Rank #22 in 1992
			Sonny Alvarez	Rank #10 in 1992 Rank #12 in 1987
			Boy Herrera	Rank #4 in 1992 Rank #21 in 1987
			Eddie Ilarde	Pre-EDSA
2001	Miriam Defensor-Santiago	Rank #6 in 1995
	Juan Ponce Enrile	Rank #11 in 1995
			Bobby Tañada	Rank #21 in 1992 Rank #11 in 1987
			Orly Mercado	Rank #7 in 1992 Rank #3 in 1987
			Boy Herrera	Rank #4 in 1992 Rank #21 in 1987
			Nina Rasul	Rank #15 in 1992
1998	Freddie Webb	Rank #12 in 1992
	Nina Rasul	Rank #15 in 1992 Rank #23 in 1987
1995	Pong Biazon	Rank #20 in 1992
	Nene Pimentel	Rank #20 in 1987
			Ramon Mitra	Pre-EDSA
			Arturo Tolentino	Rank #18 in 1992
1992	Sotero Laurel	Rank #13 in 1987
	Vic Ziga	Rank #18 in 1987
	Mamintal Tamano	Rank #22 in 1987
			Eddie Ilarde	Pre-EDSA
1987			Eva Estrada-Kalaw	Pre-EDSA
			Landring Almendras	Pre-EDSA
			Arturo Tolentino	Pre-EDSA
			Rene Espina	Pre-EDSA
TOTAL	18		29/33	29 unique individuals; 4 among them lost in two different elections

In 2025, there will be seven incumbent Senators who are qualified to run for a second term. They are reelectionists Bong Go, Pia Cayetano, Bato del Rosa, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, and Bong Revilla.

There will also be several former Senators who may decide to attempt a comeback. They are Tito Sotto, Manny Pacquiao, Ping Lacson, Kiko Pangilinan, Gringo Honasan, Mar Roxas, Ralph Recto, Frank Drilon, Bam Aquino, Dick Gordon, and maybe even more, or perhaps less.

Whatever happens then, this nerve-racking question remains: who among the reelectionists and the returning will be included in our next updated list?

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