LOOK: Most noteworthy laws by leading senatorial candidates in 2025 polls
The 2025 midterm elections have concluded, and senatorial candidates in the top 12 are now poised for a sure Senate seat, as nearly all of the electoral returns have been transmitted.
The Commission on Elections said on May 13 that it aims to proclaim the winning senators by Friday or Saturday.
In the "Magic 12" are lawmakers who are no strangers to legislative work, as they have previously served as senators and members of the House of Representatives. And since they've authored bills before, here's a look back at their notable laws before they're proclaimed in the upper chamber.
Bong Go
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program, a one-stop shop for medical and financial assistance for indigent patients.
He also worked with the Department of Health to establish the Super Health Centers nationwide, which are semi-hospital, larger than the usual rural health centers, equipped with a birthing facility, an isolation room, a pharmacy, and an ambulatory surgical unit.
His works in the healthcare industry have cemented his mark as "Mr. Malasakit."
Go has the most votes among senatorial candidates, garnering over 26 million votes.
Bam Aquino
Aquino, who is top 2 in the partial election results, is known for the RA No. 10931 or the Free College or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he co-authored and principally sponsored.
This law has granted free tuition and miscellaneous fees in all 112 state universities and colleges, 108 local universities and colleges, and TESDA-run vocational institutions.
This also provided improved student loans and financial assistance for underprivileged students, including those taking post-graduate studies.
He's also the co-author and principal sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, helping the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises nationwide.
Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
Dela Rosa, who is now in his second term in the Senate, was one of the authors of RA No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which intends to "prevent, prohibit, and penalize" terrorism. The law has been criticized as it gives the anti-terrorism council the power to order warrantless arrests of anyone they deem a terrorist.
The former Philippine National Police Chief also co-authored and principally sponsored the RA No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, which aimed to strengthen the fire service in the country. This also allowed firefighters to carry guns.
As for pending bills, Dela Rosa has pushed for the revival of the death penalty for large-scale illegal drug trafficking and mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps.
Erwin Tulfo
Erwin is set to become the second Tulfo in the Senate following his brother, Sen. Raffy. As an ACT-CIS partylist representative and House Deputy Majority Leader in the 19th Congress, he authored RA No. 11981, or the Tatak Pinoy Act, which aims to promote Philippine products and services.
Among his pending bills in Congress are HB No. 9435, or an Act Penalizing Abuse, Exploitation, and Neglect of Vulnerable Elderly Persons and Persons with Disability, and HB No. 9569, or an act providing P1,000 monthly maintenance allowance for senior citizens.
He also co-authored HB 8987, or the Act Punishing the Willful Failure to Pay Paternal Child Support, helping single moms who struggle to get support from their husbands or ex-partners.
Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan
Pangilinan is set to return to the Senate after previously serving from 2001 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2022.
During his tenure, he authored several laws, including RA No. 11210, or the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law, and RA No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, which helped farmers and fishermen sell directly to the market, allowing them to earn more.
Additionally, Pangilinan was one of the authors of RA 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Spaces Act.
He's also the principal author of the controversial RA No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice Act, which set the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old.
Rodante Marcoleta
During his tenure as the SAGIP Partylist representative, Marcoleta focused on lowering power costs. In the 19th Congress, he authored pending House Bill No. 161 or the VAT Exemption for Covered Electric Billing Act of 2022, HB No. 172 or the Institutionalizing the Energy Investment Coordination Council, and HB No. 173 or the Development of Downstream Natural Gas Act.
Panfilo "Ping" Lacson
With 18 years of experience in the Senate, Lacson has authored and co-sponsored notable laws such as the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160 as amended by Republic Act 9194), RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, the RA 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 for heavier penalties to prevent hazing-related deaths, would prevent hazing-related deaths.
He's also the principal sponsor of RA 11055, or the National ID Law, and co-authored the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Vicente "Tito" Sotto III
Sotto, who served as the Senate President from 2018 to 2022, is also making his comeback in the upper chamber.
In his 24-year career as a senator, some of the notable laws he passed are RA 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, and RA 10361, or the Kasambahay Law that aims to protect the rights and welfare of domestic helpers. He's also the co-author of RA 11509, or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act, which provides scholarships to deserving medical students.
Sotto also sponsored the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act in the Senate, which granted then-president Rodrigo Duterte additional authority amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pia Cayetano
Cayetano will continue to serve in the Senate. She first became a senator in 2004, working on laws focusing on women, like the Expanded Maternity Leave Law. She's also the principal sponsor of the divisive RA 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. The RH law provides universal access to methods of contraception, fertility control, sex education, and maternal care.
She also worked on RA 10351, or the Sin Tax Reform Act, which increases taxes on alcohol and tobacco in an effort to curb harmful vices and raise revenue for healthcare.
Camille Villar
During her term as Las Piñas Representative, Villar co-authored the House Bill No. 6608, or what's known as RA 11954, or the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund. She's also involved in the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020, No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, and Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act.
Manuel "Lito" Lapid
Incumbent Sen. Lapid, who first served as a senator from 2004 to 2016, is known for his laws, including RA 9999 or the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010, providing tax reductions to lawyers offering free legal assistance to impoverished Filipinos.
He was also one of the authors of RA No. 11996, the Eddie Garcia Law, which strengthened workplace protection for movie and television industry professionals, and RA No. 9501, or the Magna Carta for Small Enterprises.
Imee Marcos
Marcos is now set for her second term in the Senate, clinching the last spot in the Magic 12. She is one of the authors of the Anti-Terrorism Law, along with Lacson, Lapid, Dela Rosa, and Sotto.
With Cayetano, Marcos co-authored RA No. 11590, which imposed additional taxes on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
