IT’S not about popularity anymore or so it seems with many celebrities-turned-politicians losing in their respective bids during the last elections.
Most surprising of all is that of the Estradas – including patriarch Joseph “Erap” Estrada as with granddaughter Janella Estrada – failing against their respective opponents.
Half-brothers Jinggoy and JV Estrada are also looking to follow suit, having failed to make it to the Magic 12 in this year’s senate race.
As of 3:50 a.m. Tuesday, JV was in 13th place with 13,632,195 votes while Jinggoy was in 15th spot with 10,818,797 votes.
Meanwhile, other family members who suffered defeat include “El Presidente” star ER Ejercito, who was running for re-election as Laguna governor and son, John Paul, who was running for Pagsanjan’s mayorship.
ER’s half-brother Gary Estrada also lost as vice mayor of Cainta, Rizal.
Jerika Ejercito, Erap’s daughter with former actress Laarni Enriquez, lost as councilor in Manila’s Fourth District.
Of course, it’s not as if they’re the only artistas who failed to pass muster.
Roderick Paulate bowed down to Tito Sotto’s son Gian as Vice Mayor of Quezon City.
Despite a marked appearance in the hit TV show “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano,” Edu Manzano lost as Congressman of San Juan.
Former actress Maricel Morales also fought a losing effort as vice mayor of Angeles City, Pampanga.
Actor Dominic Ochoa came short in his attempt to win as councilor of Parañaque City’s 2nd district as with former actress Rochelle Barrameda who lost as councilor of Parañaque City’s 1st District.
Jeremy Marquez, the actor son of Joey Marquez, lost his vice mayoral bid in the same city.
Former Hot Babes Andrea del Rosario wasn’t able to snag a second term as vice mayor of Calatagan, Batangas.
The long list of losers also include Richard “Ser Chief” Yap (Representative, Cebu City north district), Long Mejia (Representative, Camarines Sur 1st district), Rommel Padilla (Representative, Nueva Ecijia 1st district), Ciara Sotto (Luntiang Pilipinas Partylist), Mocha Uson (Kasosyo Partylist), Monsour del Rosario (Vice Mayor, Makati) and Sheryl Cruz (Councilor, Manila 2nd district).
Then again, there were a number of celebrity winners, too.
Winning as councilor of Angeles City’s lone district is former Hot Babes JC Parker.
Earning another term as Ormoc City mayor is Richard Gomez.
Richard’s wife, Lucy, also won as house representative of Leyte’s Fourth District.
Former sexy star Ina Alegre won as mayor of Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
Charee Pineda was elected as councilor in Valenzuela City’s 2nd district.
Comedians Vandolph Quizon and Jomari Yllana also won as councilors in Paranaque City’s 1st District, while Ryan Yllana won as councilor in the city’s second district.
Even before the votes were tallied, Dan Fernandez and Jolo Revilla were already celebrating, both running unopposed as congressman of Laguna’s District and Cavite vice governor, respectively.
Former teen star Precious Hipolito is now a congresswoman of Quezon City’s 2nd District.
Still house representative of Quezon City’s 5th District is Alfred Vargas.
Yul Servo retained his seat as representative of Manila’s 3rd district.
Jestoni Alarcon and Angelica Jones-Alarva are to serve as board members of Rizal Province’s 1st district and the third provincial district of Laguna, respectively.
The Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto is representative of the lone district of Lipa City. (NEIL RAMOS)
