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MANILA, Philippines – How are Filipinos taking the proclamation of their 12 newest senators?
The winners of the May 2016 senatorial elections were proclaimed on Thursday, May 19, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Here they are in a class photo:
The winning circle includes 5 new faces: Joel Villanueva, Manny Pacquiao, Risa Hontiveros, Win Gatchalian, and Leila de Lima.
Netizens couldn’t help but notice how Villanueva and Gatchalian look so much alike. Were they separated at birth?
Sana ma realize talaga nina Sen.-elect @WinGatchalian74 at Sen.-elect @JVillanueva2016 na magkahawig talaga sila!!! pic.twitter.com/AVhVdOTttH
— Nestor CJ P. Nailon (@cjzpelayonailon) May 19, 2016
Picture of Joel Villanueva and Sherwin Gatchalian together PLEASSEEE!!! Hahaha #ChinitoSaSenado lol
— Axl Ross (@arml0913) May 19, 2016
Some were apparently not pleased with Senate President Franklin Drilon’s reelection. Drilon topped the senatorial race with over 18.6 million votes.
I dunno why ppl voted him. He didnt do anything in the senate -Proclamation at PICC pic.twitter.com/PXQf0CooKg
— Zeekiah ❤️ (@itsmezeekiah) May 19, 2016
Others were disappointed not to see the “Megastar” or the “Star for All Seasons” – the celebrity wives of Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto, respectively. Pangilinan is married to actress Sharon Cuneta, while Recto is the husband of actress-turned-politician Vilma Santos.
Hindi kasama ni Sen Recto si Gov Vi, hindi rin kasama ni Sen Kiko si Sharon Cuneta @dzbb
Speaking of celebrities, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is returning to the Senate. In 2012, he drew flak for rejecting the reproductive health bill and for allegedly committing plagiarism.
Manny Pacquiao winning a seat in the senate is somehow forgivable. But Tito Sotto?????? For real???? Why??? ???????
— Irish (@ishhtagram) May 19, 2016
Meanwhile, the Senate now has its own Pia Wurtzbach as it welcomes Risa Hontiveros, who finally won on her 3rd try.
Pang @PiaWurtzbach lang ang pagkapanalo ni @risahontiveros. Magiging Senadora na siya. I’m rooting for her way back her campaign years ago
— Gian (@gianology07) May 10, 2016
Si Pia Wurtzbach at si Risa Hontiveros ang perfect examples ng "Never give up, girls!"
— Dru Ex Machina (@awesome_drew) May 19, 2016
Senator Risa Hontiveros, salamat naman sa Diyos at sa pangatlong pagkakataon kayo’y nanalo na. Ipanalo ang kalusugan. Congrats po!
— Arvee Depuno (@ItsARVZTheTree) May 19, 2016
Of course, netizens couldn’t pass up the chance to note that “Ipasok si Dick” (“Let Dick In”) came true this year. Richard “Dick” Gordon is making a comeback, and the playful phrase cropped up on social media feeds once more.
Our new Senators! So happy for Gordon. https://t.co/tOEYKbfI5L
— Hannah Jarmin (@hannaner) May 19, 2016
Naipasok na si DICK, sa loob ng anim taon meron tayong may MATIGAS ang paninindigan at MAHABA ang karanasan. Congarts sir #tigasinSiDick
— Joachim (@jchimtiu) May 19, 2016
Here goes the sexual innuendos.
"Ayan" Baste whispers into Sandro’s ears "ipasok ko na"
— Joachim Mendoza (@thejoewah) May 10, 2016
Sandro sweats profusely "Ang alin?"
"Ako?" Gordon asks as he barges in #RP69Fanfic
One Twitter user was happy to see Dick get in, but not Manny Pacquiao – the so-called Pambansang Kamao (National Fist).
@mojojownas okay na sana na naipasok si Dick e pero pati ba naman pambansang KAMAO, ipinasok din. Ang saket.
— Paul Adnan (@adnanity) May 10, 2016
Pacquiao, arguably the most popular among all senators on the global stage, became a trending topic nationwide immediately after his proclamation.
@mannypacquiao sali ka na sa olympics! Dont worry sanay na kmi sa absent, expected 🙂 anyway congrats sana pglaban mo yung olympians ntin.
Shit! Goodluck na lang sa mga bagong batas kapag nahalal na senador si Manny! Ay wait! Hindi nga pala siya pumapasok. #Election2016 #Change?
— Paul (@XDpaulJ) May 9, 2016
In 2013, Pacquiao, who represents Sarangani province and is the wealthiest member of the House – recorded the most number of absences, along with Negros Occidental Representative Jules Ledesma.
Manny Pacquaio arrives at PICC for his Senate proclamation… me be like pic.twitter.com/D7yVkeC68k
— Team Laylayan (@tagapamayapa00) May 19, 2016
me to people who voted for manny pacquiao pic.twitter.com/RsWUIzjRo6
— jade ✨ (@jadezus) May 19, 2016
Guys may joke ako! Senador na si Manny Pacquiao.
— Joy Tordilla (@joytordilla) May 19, 2016
Headed by Sen. Manny Pacquiao https://t.co/v8QtZUrD10
— Dan Ramos (@IamAlmostDan) May 19, 2016
manny pacquiao being in the senate is like me being in an advanced calculus class. Dasal lang. Dasal lang talaga.
— chryselle (@chryselles) May 19, 2016
Of course, there are those – at least 16 million, actually – who are happy about the boxing superstar’s victory in the polls.
Now, how will Pacquiao perform at the Senate? Here’s what he had to say:
“As a Christian, hindi ata tama na mangako ka. Gagawin natin ang ating makakaya. For example, nangako ka na perfect attendance ka, pero nagkasakit ka, eh di ‘di mo natupad ang pangako mo.“
(As a Christian, it might not be right to make promises. I will just do my best. For example, you promised perfect attendance, but you became sick. Then you would be unable to fulfill your promise.)
Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao answers questions from the press. Watch: https://t.co/irceExyS3s https://t.co/CRLYLYc8mN
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) May 19, 2016
Asked if he is in favor of the death penalty, Pacquiao said yes and added that it is “biblical.” A netizen reacted to that statement.
Sa yaman mong yan, wala kang pambili ng New Testament bible? @/Manny Pacquiao
— Jannelle Casanova (@nellecutter) May 19, 2016
Does the Pacman inspire you to become what you want to be?
Sana araw-araw ang level ng confidence at certainty ko ay katulad ng kay Manny Pacquiao.
— #00A86B (@Antifornicator) May 19, 2016
If Manny Pacquiao can be a senator you can be anything you want to be
— Millennial Of Manila (@MillennialOfMNL) May 19, 2016
What do you think about our new senators? Share your thoughts on X! – with reports from John Paul Laban/Rappler.com
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