The latest 2025 senatorial survey by Octa Research resembles a bizarre mashup of a celebrity awards show and a political circus. 

With almost a third of the potential candidates emerging from the glitzy world of film and TV, it’s as if we’re casting for a reality TV series rather than selecting lawmakers. 

Meanwhile, the stalwarts of the yellow Liberty Party, once touted as political juggernauts, find themselves left in the dust, unable to secure a spot in the coveted Magic 12.

The rest are . . . well, oldies but not necessarily goodies.

Adding insult to injury, we have the predictable presence of political dynasties and a sprinkling of political newbies thrown in for good measure. 

It’s a sad reflection of the entrenched status quo, where the same old faces dominate the landscape, perpetuating the cycle of nepotism and political inertia. 

Welcome to the déjà vu of Philippine politics – where change is nothing but a distant dream, and the absurdity of our electoral process remains a constant source of bemusement for all.