The candidates for the Senate in the 2025 midterm elections continued their campaigns over the weekend, with at least one addressing a disinformation campaign launched against him.
Kiko slams fake news
Senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilingan slammed disinformation using images of him eating food from a pot lid.
“So, kapansin-pansin at maliwanag na recently, more so viciously, we have been subjected to trolling, bashing, and organized and orchestrated way na clearly hindi ito online organic audiences kung hindi most likely base sa ating nakikita, orchestrated, well-funded machinery para siraan ang ating kampanya,” Pangilinan said in a statement on Sunday.
(So, it is notable and clear that recently, more viciously, we have been subjected to trolling, bashing, and organized and orchestrated that are clearly not online organic audiences but most likely based on what we see, orchestrated, well-funded machinery to discredit our campaign.)
He urged fellow political candidates to fund their respective campaigns instead of funding the spread of disinformation.
According to the statement, the food blog showed Pangilinan joining a feast in Pampanga where social media personality Romeo Catacutan asked someone to hand over a pot lid to Pangilinan so he could eat the rice and carabao milk.
The video was uploaded by multiple accounts. Pangilinan noted that Vietnamese-sounding names were leaving laugh reactions on the post, which he called an active attempt to destroy his campaign.
Pangilinan called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to coordinate with Meta (Facebook), TikTok, and other social media companies to address the disinformation, trolling, and bashing.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia earlier said the poll body has entered a memorandum agreement with Facebook Meta to curb election-related disinformation.
Pangilingan also urged his supporters to spread the truth instead of attacking those who uploaded the video.
“Don’t attack them. Ikalat natin katotohonan tungkol sa atin, tungkol sa atin kandidatura, tungkol sa nagawa natin [Let us spread the truth about our campaign and our accomplishments],” Pangalinan said.
“To our voters and our supporters, be vigilant. Let us not share right away itong paninira [these attacks],” he added.
P2,000 universal social pension for senior citizens
Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino vowed to pushed for a P2,000 universal social pension for senior citizens.
In a statement, Aquino said the pension would help senior citizens with their medical check-ups and purchase their medicine, grocery, other necessities.
“Malaking gaan na rin ito sa mga pamilyang may inaalagaang senior citizen dahil magagamit nila ang pera sa iba pang mahalagang bagay gaya ng pagkain, kuryente at iba pang bayarin,” he said.
(This would also help families caring for senior citizens because they can use the money for other important things such as food, electricity, and other bills.)
For his senatorial campaign in the Bicol Region, Aquino met with local officials and the public in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, at Masbate.
Vote bets who reflects your causes
During his campaign in Caloocan, senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu urged the public to vote for candidates who will respect their rights and work on solving the issues they are facing.
“Kaya ngayon election na ito, kailangan natin magkaroon ng realisasyon at isuka na natin yung panggag—o sa atin ng mga dinastiya at ng mga nang-aapi sa atin, at kailangan kumawala, lumaya at itaguyod ang interest ng mga mangagawa at maralita,” Espritu said.
(This election, we need to realize and reject the trickery of political dynasties and those who oppress us. We should free ourselves and stand up for the interests of workers and the poor.)
Espiritu has been pushing for dismantling political dynasties and advocating for a social justice agenda.
Protection of fisherfolk vs abusive traders
Campaigning in Zamboanga City, senatorial candidate Ben Tulfo vowed to protect fisherfolk against abusive traders in Tigtabon port.
“We have to create a watchdog kasama ang mga kapatid natin sa media na takbuhan sila ng maliliit [along with our brethren in the media whom the people can run to],” Tulfo said in a press conference.
“I can always use a privilege speech muna sa Senado [from the Senate] that will initiate an inquiry leading to legislation,” he added.
Reacting to leading the recent senatorial surveys, Tulfo expressed gratitude but said he will not say anything until the elections are done.
“Thank you so much for the survey, but when I say it’s a survey, it’s not over until it’s over,” Tulfo said.
A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that Tulfo ranked third in the senatorial race for the 2025 midterm elections.
Reelectionist Senator Bong Go and the broadcaster’s brother, ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo, emerged as top contenders in the SWS survey.
Free electricity for those with P2,000 bill
During his campaign in Masinloc, Zambales, senatorial candidate Rodante Marcoleta said he would push for free electricity for those with bills up to P2,000.
Marcoleta made the proposal as he slammed the government’s programs such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
“Hindi po kasing mabuting paraan yung ayuda para sa ganun iligtas sa kahirapan ang mahihirap nating mamayaman. Ang ayuda binibigay lang pang emergency. Pag nasunugan, tinamaan ng bulkan, binaha, binago,” Marcoleta said.
(These kinds of aid are not a good way to save our poor people from poverty. This aid is only given for emergencies when there are people affected by fire, volcano eruption, flood, or storm.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
