In the Philippines, politics is showbiz with a Senate floor instead of a soundstage. Nowhere is this clearer than with actors-turned-senatorial candidates like Bong Revilla and Phillip Salvador, whose résumés boast more telenovelas than lawmaking competence.

Bong’s infamous “Budots” dance became his political comeback tour—because nothing says “trust me with national policy” like gyrating to techno beats. Phillip Salvador, meanwhile, once played heroes on screen but struggles with the script when real issues arise. It’s as if voters believed that if you can deliver cheesy lines and shake your hips, you can surely fix the economy! Spoiler alert: you can’t.

Legislation isn’t choreographed; you can’t adlib your way through the budget hearing. We’re electing lawmakers, not variety show hosts. So unless the Senate introduces a “Dancing with the Legislators” segment, maybe it’s time we demand more than a killer dance routine from our public servants.