As the Philippines gears up for the next election, anticipation runs high among citizens and politicians. With the opportunity to shape the nation’s future, voters are preparing to cast their ballots for candidates who will lead them through the challenges and opportunities ahead. As the campaign season transpires, candidates will work hard to vie for public support.
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Methodology
Capstone-Intel conducted a year-long analysis of the online presence of senatorial bets, focusing particularly on Facebook activity from April 2023 to April 2024. This thorough examination aimed to assess public sentiment towards each senatorial contender. The list was divided into two groups based on the number of followers on their official Facebook page: those with fewer than one million followers and those with 1 million or more followers. The investigation focused on the top ten potential senatorial candidates, particularly those with more than 1 million followers, who garnered the highest percentage of Facebook love reactions.
Background
In May 2025, the Philippines will hold its national and local elections. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been actively preparing for this event. Voter registration commenced on February 12, 2024, with the introduction of the Register Anywhere Program (RAP). This initiative allows individuals to register to vote conveniently at various locations such as malls, universities, and government offices, regardless of their residence.
To address concerns over previous voting system issues, Comelec has taken steps to improve the process. One notable development is the introduction of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC), which will replace faulty systems of the past. This advanced technology, supplied by South Korean firm Miru Systems, aims to ensure a smoother and more transparent voting experience for citizens.
In recent news, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) made significant changes, including dropping “Lakas ng Bayan (Laban)” from its name. Additionally, the party announced its endorsement of the reelection bids of Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Francis Tolentino, along with the candidacy of actor Phillip Salvador. These developments set the stage for what promises to be an intriguing and hopefully impactful election season in the Philippines.
Most Loved Senatorial Bets from Facebook Philippines Data
Among senatorial bets who boast 1 million or more followers, former Vice President Leni Robredo stands out, leading a staggering 3.3 million followers. She leads with the highest percentage of Facebook love reactions, totaling 49.6%. Additionally, her engagement score stands at 324,768.8, accumulated across 4,570 posts and a total of 1,827,506 reactions.
The top Facebook post on Leni Robredo is the Tayo Ang Liwanag Mini Concert, scheduled to be streamed live on her official Facebook page.This post garnered an impressive engagement score of 8,792.8, with a total of 41,890 reactions, 33,525 (80%) of which were love reactions. The event featured renowned artists such as Rivermaya and The Company, alongside special guest appearances by former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino. Notably, this same post received the highest number of love reactions among posts referencing Bam Aquino, ranked third, and Kiko Pangilinan, ranked fifth.
Attorney Chel Diokno follows with 1 million followers and the second-highest number of Facebook love reactions, standing at 42.2%. His engagement score sits at 60,165.7, based on 839 posts and a total of 299,575 reactions.
The top Facebook post featuring Chel Diokno revolved around photos he shared while enjoying the Dinagyang festival in Iloilo City this year. This post garnered an engagement score of 2,857.5, accumulating a total of 15,371 reactions, out of which 11,267 (73%) were reactions of love.
Former Senator Bam Aquino holds the third spot with 39.6% Facebook love reactions, accompanied by an engagement score of 175,399.6. This score is based on 655 posts and a total of 587,658 reactions.
Persida Acosta, Chief of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), occupies the fourth position, garnering 39.3% of love reactions on Facebook out of the total reactions, with an engagement score of 160,886.3. There is a total of 1,675 posts, accumulating 373,778 reactions in total.
The top post on Facebook by Persida V. Rueda-Acosta was her live video commemorating her 23rd anniversary as the chief public attorney. This post boasted an engagement score of 656.6, with 582 out of 875 total reactions (67%) being love reactions.
Former Senator Kiko Pangilinan trails in fifth place, securing 33.1% of Facebook’s love reactions. He boasts an engagement score of 110,446.0, with a total of 735,324 reactions.
Senator Bong Revilla holds the sixth spot with 31.0%. Former Senator Mar Roxas ranks seventh with 25.8%, followed by Senator Bong Go in eighth place with 25.5%. Former Senator Manny Pacquiao takes the ninth spot with 24.7%, and Senator Imee Marcos rounds out the top ten with 24.2%.
Love reactions give a solid figure on the stability of the followers and the fan base. Though this may not have translated into votes during the 2022 elections, the advantage would be the personalities are champions of their advocacies such as Leni Robredo for volunteerism, Atty. Chel Diokno for his engagement with the youth, and Atty. Persida Acosto on the law.
Furthermore, Facebook users prefer entertaining, like the online Mini Concert, and positive news for a break from online negativity. They engage more with uplifting content, such as congratulatory posts. While they value staying informed, they also enjoy lighter material. Overall, users seek a balance between entertainment and information on the platform.
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