'Kiko,' 'Naga,' 'VOTE WISELY' among top trends amid 2025 election
"Kiko," "Naga," and "VOTE WISELY" were among the trending topics on X on Election Day.
As partial results began pouring in at around 9 p.m., the social media platform was buzzing about the senatorial candidates that were leading in the top 12, including Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, and Rodante Marcoleta.
Candidates trend online
"Sobrang proud ako kay Kiko. This dude is the most maligned candidate this election and boom! He still won!" one user said of Pangilinan, who ranks fifth according to partial and unofficial results as of 1:44 p.m. on May 13.
Meanwhile, X users were discussing reelectionist Sen. Bato Dela Rosa's possible International Criminal Court arrest amid his being third in the rankings.
"[Curious] talaga [ako] kapag nanalo si Bato, kasi 'di ba hinahanap na rin siya ng ICC? So kakailanganin niyang lumabas sa pinagtataguan niya," one user wrote.
Senatorial aspirant Camille Villar and her mother incumbent senator and Las Piñas congressional candidate Cynthia Villar have also been making the rounds on X.
Some users were surprised by how Cynthia was behind Mark Anthony Santos in the congressional race.
"There are many pleasant surprises in addition to KikoBam," said historian Kristoffer Pasion. "Laglag si Cynthia Villar. Nilampaso ni Vico kalaban niya. Number one ang Akbayan. There's also this big surprise in Marikina."
Meanwhile, some X users were disgruntled over the fact that Camille made the top 12.
"Camille Villar entering the Top 12? AYUSIN NIYO 'YAN," said one user.
Meanwhile, Naga City trended online as users celebrated former Vice President Leni Robredo's proclamation as its mayor.
"Iba yata tubig sa Naga? Ano meron dun? Habang may Naga, Pilipinas may pag-asa!" one user wrote.
'Vote wisely'
Other keywords in the trending list include "VOTE WISELY" and "BUMOTO NG TAMA," as Filipinos highlighted the importance of choosing the right leaders.
Some users even made references to the 2024 political thriller film Balota, which stars Marian Rivera as a teacher who must protect a ballot box containing the final copy of the election results.
"'Hanggat hindi nagwawagi ang taong bayan, tayo ay boboto. Boboto tayo ng kandidatong tama…'" one user quoted a line from the film.
Another posted, "'ITONG ARAW NA ‘TO ‘YONG BOSES KO KASING LAKAS NG BOSES NIYO.' Ngayong araw pinakamalakas ang boses at karapatan ng bawat pilipino. bumoto ng matalino, bumoto nang matalino."
Reporting anomalies
The word "COMELEC" was also highly talked about as social media users tagged the poll body amid a slew of election-related issues.
One post under this that garnered a lot of attention is a video showing some poll watchers appearing to shade the ballots on behalf of other voters, which is prohibited according to election rules.
"WTF???? What is this? Nakakahiya kayoooo @COMELEC. Ano na??? This is not allowed, right? Ma-disqualified sana kandidato ng mga watcher na ito, ang trabaho po ng watcher ay to observe the voters, not to shade on behalf of the voters," the user said in their post, which now has more than 48,000 likes.
WTF???? What is this? Nakakahiya kayoooo @COMELEC ano na??? This is not allowed right? ma disqualified sana kandidato ng nga watcher na ito, ang trabaho po ng watcher ay to observe the voters not to shade on behalf of the voters. #Halalan2025 pic.twitter.com/nxEib54DGP
— Bingsue (@Bingsueee_18) May 12, 2025
On a more funnier note, one user shared that they accidentally brought home the marker that's used for shading the ballots.
The 2025 midterm polls are taking place on Monday, May 12. There are over 18,000 positions up for grabs. Tune in to PhilSTAR L!fe's coverage of this year's elections here.
