MANILA, Philippines — Popularity, or being number one on the ballot, proved to be a huge factor in getting elected, based on the mock election results conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Topping the mock senatorial race was candidate Agata Adyan Agta, closely followed by Ricardo “Cardo” Dalisay, the lead character in the popular television series “Ang Probinsyano.” Facundo Tolentino Caballero ranked third.
Other popular movie and teleserye characters who landed in the so-called Magic 12 are Marga Mondragon Bartolome, Matilde Tindeng Asuncion, Flavio Panday Batungbakal and Claudia Buenavista.
Lead characters in other popular television series such as Sky Love Aguerro Cruz, Sabrina Mercedes Cabral, and a name similar to the actress who played a villain role in another popular television series also landed in the top 12, as well as social media personality Sheena Bunso Catacutan.
Notably, aside from being popular characters, those who obtained the highest votes in the mock elections are among those listed first on the ballot.
Also listed number one on the ballot, Mobile Legends topped the mock party-list elections. Safeguard landed in second place, although it was listed No. 41 on the ballot. Number 55, Eat Bulaga, also obtained a high number of votes.
The Comelec previously declared the mock election, held in 30 barangays across the country, as successful, with a 100 percent transmission rate.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said mock elections were conducted as part of the preparations for the coming midterm polls.
Comelec reported an 87.28 percent turnout of 3,200 registered voters who were supposed to participate in the mock elections.