'Very unexpected': Go, Aquino, Pangilinan surprised at topping 2025 Senate race

Leading senatorial candidates Bong Go, Bam Aquino, and Kiko Pangilinan shared their reactions to their rankings in the partial, unofficial results of the 2025 midterm elections. 

In an interview with GMA News, Go—who's at the top of the senatorial race with 21,764,835 votes as of 8:02 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13—said that he was surprised by the result. 

"Nasurpresa po ako sa naging resulta kasi referendum po ito sa amin bilang incumbent senator. Ito po ang performance rating sa'min kung nagtrabaho ba kami sa loob nang anim na taon. Ito na 'yung paghuhusga sa amin kung talagang ginawa ba namin ang aming tungkulin bilang senador," he said. 

He expressed his gratitude to God and former president Rodrigo Duterte, his "mentor." 

"Maraming maraming salamat po sa Panginoon, kay Allah, at sa lahat po ng sumusuporta at nagtitiwala sa akin. At pangalawa po, sa ating sambayanang Pilipino [na] patuloy pong nagtitiwala."

"Of course, kay dating pangulong Duterte na naging mentor ko po sa pagseserbisyo," he continued. "Isa lang naman po ang pinaalala niya sa akin noon, alam niyo po, 'di siya nakikialam sa amin kung paano po kami magtrabaho. Isa lang ang sinabi niya sa'kin: 'Just do what is right. Gawin mo lang ang tama, unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin mo ang interes ng Pilipino' at 'yan naman po ang ginagawa ko nung termino ko po ay nagserbisyo po ako." 

When asked what he thinks was his advantage in reaching the top spot, Go pointed out his diligence.

"Sipag lang po, unahin po natin ang kapakanan ng 'ting kababayan. Hindi po ako pulitiko na nangangako sa inyo. Gagawin ko po ang trabaho ko para sa Pilipino." 

He added, "Salamat sa tiwala niyo sa akin, na bilang probinsyano lamang, binigyan niyo po ng pagkakataong makapagserbisyo." 

'Very unexpected'

For Aquino, placing second in the partial and unofficial tally of the Senate race was "very unexpected." As of writing, he has received 16,809,992 votes.

"Very unexpected po ito. This morning, pakiramdam naman po namin na makakapasok kami pero syempre hindi po ganito kataas. Kaya nagpasasalamat po kami sa lahat ng tumulong, sa volunteers especially po 'yung kabataan. Sa tingin po namin, 'yung mga kabataan yung nagdala sa amin winning circle po," he told GMA News.

He could only turn out grateful for emerging successful in his 2025 Senate bid.

"Siguro po, naghalo-halo na. Nagtulong-tulungan na 'yung iba't ibang grupo para umabot po tayo dito and we're just very happy right now and very thankful na umabot tayo dito,"  he said. "Itong kumpanya na ito, ginawa talaga naming misyon na maging pinakamasipag na kandidato, pinakamasipag na senatoriable. Palagay ko, ako 'yung pinakamaraming napuntahan din with the clear message, based on our accomplishments, 'yung libreng kolehiyo and the clear path ng siguradong trabaho." 

"Palagay ko, without discounting much better in our last campaign honestly, politically rin, mas magaan din ngayon," he shared. "Hindi ako na-troll. In 2019, I think ako 'yung nato-troll ng panahon na 'yun—ngayon, iba 'yung nangyayari sa national politics."

'Akala ko fake news'

Pangilinan is currently on the fifth spot with 12,291,691 votes in the partial, unofficial results at 8:02 a.m.

"Sa sunod-sunod na endorsements, sa interviews sa radio, 'yung ating pag-ikot, 'yung ating huling caravan, 'yung huling bisita namin ni Sharon sa BARMM, sa Mindanao, and then 'yung message natin na kinakailangang bigyang pagkakataon 'yung mga naniniwala na may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas, hiniling natin ang kanilang tulong at suporta," he said in a press conference. 

Pangilinan initially thought that his ranking was "fake news."

"Our team has a Telegram thread, doon ko nakita na nasa Top 5 na nga. Akala ko fake news. Sa dami ng fake news na natatanggap ko araw-araw sa kampanya, ang sabi ko, 'Totoo ba ito? Baka disinformation ito,' but totoo pala," he said. 

"Ako yata ang summa cum laude ng disinformation ng kumpanyang ito kaya nakita natin apektado tayo sa mga surveys. Kaya nung lumabas, I initially thought, well, I couldn't believe it. Hindi ako makapaniwala," he continued.

'Not what we hoped for'

In the evening of May 12, Vice President Sara Duterte released a statement regarding the early count of votes in the recently concluded midterms, saying that it was "not what (they) had hoped for." At the time, only three of the senatoriables she endorsed made it to the Magic 12: Go, Dela Rosa, and Rodante Marcoleta.

"I acknowledge the results of the election and express my deep gratitude to all the supporters who stood with us throughout this journey," she began. 

"While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, our commitment to the people remains unwavering. We will continue to hold the government accountable, advocate for the issues that matter, and work tirelessly to serve as a strong and constructive opposition." 

She described the outcome so far as a "renewed beginning."

"This is not the end—it's a renewed beginning. We invite all citizens—regardless of background or past affiliation—to join us in building a powerful and principled opposition."

She concluded. "Together, we can shape a future that is fair, inclusive, and just. Stand with us." 

Apart from the aforementioned senatorial candidates, other bets who are leading the race in the partial and unofficial results as of 8:02 a.m. of May 13 are Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Sen. Lito Lapid, and Sen. Imee Marcos, 

The 2025 midterm polls took place on Monday, May 12. Check out PhilSTAR L!fe's coverage of this year's elections here.