Marilyn Cahatol

People walk past posters of candidates during the campaign season for the national and local elections on March 28, 2022 at Barangay Bliss in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174615725454020220328-election-campaign-posters-jc-3.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">People walk past posters of candidates during the campaign season for the national and local elections on March 28, 2022 at Barangay Bliss in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — The quality and character of candidates for senator in the coming midterm elections has declined, political analyst Edna Co said on Friday, May 2.</p><p>Under the 1987 Constitution, candidates for senator only need to be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, literate, and a registered voter.</p><p>“Bakit tayo dumadausdos pababa imbis na paangat tayo na mas magaling ngayon yung set ng mga kandidato?&quot; said Edna Co, the former dean of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance, during the episode of Teleradyo Serbisyo’s &quot;BaliTapatan&quot;.</p><p>(Why are we going down instead of having better and better sets of candidates?)</p><p>The political expert said that senators are expected to possess specializations as the position requires dealing with complicated issues at the national and international levels.</p><p>“Gagawa ito ng mga batas na hindi lang sa barangay. Hindi lang sa munisipyo, hindi lang sa siyudad. Gagawa ito ng batas na pangkabuuan ng bansa na napakakomplikado,” Co said.</p><p>(These people will make laws — not at the barangay, municipal or city level. They will be making laws for the entire country, that is very complicated)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/03/15/19/what-do-senators-do-clue-its-not-just-lawmaking">What do senators do? Clue: It&#x27;s not just lawmaking</a></div><p>Multiple celebrities are vying for Senate seats alongside reelectionists, vloggers and leaders of people&#x27;s organizations as well as representatives of fisherfolk and of labor groups. </p><p>The 2025 elections have also seen the participation of leaders of people&#x27;s organizations as well as representatives of fisherfolk and of labor groups vying for seats at the Senate.</p><p>When asked if stricter guidelines should be implemented on the senatorial candidates, Co disagreed and said that the election is still up to people&#x27;s choices.</p><p>“Inihahapag sa ating kababayan yung desisyon at ang assumption dito ay matalino rin ang ating mamamayan na boboto,&quot; she said.</p><p>(The voters declare their decision and our assumption is that our people voted wisey)</p><p>Co said that, more than the candidates, the election is about the electorate and their capability to choose their leaders and lawmakers.</p><p>She encouraged voters to select candidates who are firm in their values and have a perspective on the country’s national issues.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/20/9-admin-bets-in-projected-winners-circle-in-senate-race-sws-2347">9 admin Senatorial bets in projected &#x27;winner&#x27;s circle&#x27;: SWS</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KVkohcP_aFs?si=vVggK0JcR_p-EwW_" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The quality and character of candidates for senator in the coming midterm elections has declined, political analyst Edna Co said on Friday, May 2.</p>

The quality and character of candidates for senator in the coming midterm elections has declined, political analyst Edna Co said on Friday, May 2.

'Quality' of Senate bets declined in 2025 polls — political analyst

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'Quality' of Senate bets declined in 2025 polls — political analyst

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 02, 2025 01:17 PM PHT

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Updated May 02, 2025 06:09 PM PHT

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