Tovic Salvador

James Yap on pace to continue as San Juan councilor; 'Pacman' falters in Senate bid

Article (news)

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747121732104IMG_6950.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao during the second Commission on Elections’ #PilipinasDebates2022: The Turning Point, at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City on April 3, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Former Senator Manny Pacquiao during the second Commission on Elections’ #PilipinasDebates2022: The Turning Point, at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City on April 3, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Manny Pacquiao, James Yap, and other Filipino athletes and personalities who launched their bids for their respective posts are close to officially seeing the results of their campaigns in the 2025 midterm election.</div>The legendary &quot;Pacman,&quot; who made his attempt to return to Philippine Senate, is unlikely to make the cut this time as he only has 10,203,250 votes with the electoral returns already being at 97.23% as of writing.This is only good enough for the 18th spot, with with Pacquiao trailing current 12th-placer Imee Marcos, Ben Tulfo, Bong Revilla Jr., Abby Binay, Benhur Abalos, and Jimmy Bondoc.It&#x27;s an underwhelming outcome for the 46-year-old who ran under the Alyansa slate, as he was slated to place 9th to 14th in Pulse Asia&#x27;s April survey with a 28.3% voter preference.He placed 13th to 15th (24%) in SWS’ May 2 to 6 release, and 10th to 20th (28%) in the last survey of Octa Research.Following the elections, Pacquiao is expected to make a return to the squared-circle on July 19 when he faces Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/5/9/pacquiao-to-un-retire-and-fight-barrios-for-welterweight-title-report-0901">READ: Pacquiao to un-retire and fight Barrios for welterweight title</a> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747121776925UAAP87 MBB - JAMES YAP-8118.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="San Juan City 2nd District Councilor-elect James Yap during the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. File photo/UAAP Media."/>San Juan City 1st District Councilor-elect James Yap during the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. File photo/UAAP Media. Meanwhile, Yap is on pace to make his return as San Juan City 1st District Councilor.</div>The Purefoods legend currently boasts 18,394 votes, only second to Ryan Deeco Llanos Dee.Poised to join Yap are Don Allado and MPBL guard Ervic Vijandre, while former De La Salle University star Renren Ritualo, who just lost to University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 100 juniors basketball finals, is on the losing end.Another Green Archer in Francis Zamora is still the favorite to rule the city’s mayoral race, and he will be winning over former Crispa star Philip Cezar.Other former basketball players, coaches, and officials currently tipped to win are Franz Pumaren (Quezon City 3rd District Congressman) Converge FiberXers assistant Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda (Pampanga Vice Governor), Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Pasig Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, and Gary David (Dinalupihan, Bataan Councilor).Adding to the same list are former UAAP stars Jeric Teng (Gumaca, Quezon Councilor) and Jervy Cruz (Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija), and MPBL coach Elvin Tolentino (Marikina 2nd District Councilor).UAAP Commissioner Rebo Saguisag, for his part, is still in the running for a spot in Makati City’s 1st District Council.He is currently at No.9 with 62,881 votes, only 315 short of eighth-placer Dino Imperial who is at 63,196.On the other hand, Danny Ildefonso (Urdaneta, Pangasinan Councilor), Dondon Hontiveros (Cebu City Vice Mayor), Lyceum of the Philippines University head coach Gilbert Malabanan (Lone District of San Pedro Laguna), Bong Alvarez (Manila City 3rd District Councilor), Bonel Balingit (Cebu City 2nd District Councilor) are expected to not make the cut for their respective bids.Finally, 1Pacman, MPBL, and PBA (Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta) Partylist — all party-lists that are said to be focused on promoting sports — are all way below the 2% of received votes.  1Pacman is at 0.56%, MPBL is at 0.06%, and PBA is at 0.08%.

Manny Pacquiao, James Yap, and other Filipino athletes and personalities who launched their bids for their respective posts are close to officially seeing the results of their campaigns in the 2025 midterm election.

Manny Pacquiao, James Yap, and other Filipino athletes and personalities who launched their bids for their respective posts are close to officially seeing the results of their campaigns in the 2025 midterm election.