Star-studded gov’t: More celebs win in 2013 polls

MANILA, Philippines – Expect to see more TV personalities and celebrities in politics this year.

Rappler estimates that a total of 51 celebrity candidates – including actors, singers, sports and news personalities – won various elective positions in the 2013 midterm elections in May. We counted a total of 84 celebrities and TV personalities who joined this year’s races.

That’s more than the 49 celebrity candidates, based on Rappler estimates, who won in the 2010 elections.

Quezon City has the most number of celebrity candidates, with 13. Nine of them won.

Parañaque City and Laguna come next with the most number of celebrity candidates, with 8 each. Six won in Parañaque City, while 4 won in Laguna.

For the 2010 elections, Rappler estimates that 80 celebrities joined the polls, and only 49 won.

Among those who participated in the 2010 elections but didn’t run this year are:

Winners in 2010
•Actress Marjorie Barreto (Caloocan City councilor)
•Former broadcaster Mon Ilagan (Cainta, Rizal mayor)

Losers in 2010
•Actress Aiko Melendez (Quezon City vice mayor)
•Actress Ara Mina (Quezon City councilor)
•Comedian Arnell Ignacio (Quezon City councilor)
•Actor Cesar Montano (Bohol governor)
•Actor Jaime Fabregas (Quezon City councilor)
•Broadcaster Jay Sonza (senator)
•Musician John Lesaca (Quezon City councilor)
•Comedian Ogie Diaz (Quezon City councilor)
•Singer/actor Rico J. Puno (Makati City vice mayor)
•Actor Rommel Padilla (Nueva Ecija vice governor)
•Actress Glenda Garcia (Quezon City councilor)
•Beauty queen/actress Maria Isabel Lopez (Quezon City councilor)
•Actor Ricky Davao (Quezon City councilor)

– Reynaldo Santos, Jr., Rappler.com

http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/31903-more-celebrities-win-2013-polls