Dennis Padilla at Marjorie Barretto, nabigo sa halalan; kapwa talo sa Caloocan City

- Dennis Padilla and Marjorie Barretto both lose their Caloocan City council bids

- The former celebrity couple failed to secure city council seats in separate districts, based on partial and unofficial election results

- Despite being a former councilor, Marjorie Barretto's bid for a seat in the 1st District fell short, placing seventh in the race

- Running as an independent in the 2nd District, Dennis Padilla finished in 16th place, marking his second consecutive loss for the same position

Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla both encountered setbacks in their respective bids for city council seats in Caloocan City.

The results, based on partial and unofficial counts, revealed that the former celebrity couple were not able to secure enough votes to win a position in the city's legislative body

Marjorie, a former councilor representing the 2nd District of Caloocan, aimed for a return to public service by running in the 1st District under the ticket of the incumbent Mayor Along Malapitan.

Despite her previous experience and affiliation with a prominent local political figure, Marjorie garnered 82,517 votes.

This tally placed her in seventh position in the race for council seats in the 1st District, falling short of the number of votes required to secure a spot.

Meanwhile, Dennis, whose legal name is Dennis Baldivia, contested the councilor position in the 2nd District of Caloocan as an independent candidate.

This election marked Dennis’ second consecutive attempt to win a council seat in the same district. However, he received only 7,480 votes, finishing in 16th place

This outcome signifies another unsuccessful foray into the realm of local politics for the actor and comedian.

The simultaneous losses of the former couple have drawn considerable attention, particularly in light of their well-documented public disagreements following the recent wedding of their daughter, Claudia Barretto.

Some netizens have speculated that the controversy surrounding their family affairs might have negatively impacted their respective campaigns.

Comments circulating online suggest that the public airing of grievances and harsh words exchanged between Marjorie and Dennis in the aftermath of the wedding could have influenced voters’ decisions.

Following Dennis’ public expression of disappointment at not being the one to walk Claudia down the aisle, Marjorie issued a strong statement in response.

This public spat occurred shortly before the election period, potentially leaving a lasting impression on the electorate.

Initial reactions from online communities to the election results have been varied. Some netizens expressed a sentiment that voters are becoming more discerning and less swayed by celebrity status alone.

Comments suggested a growing preference for candidates with clear platforms and a proven track record of service, rather than relying solely on popularity derived from the entertainment industry.

Statements from online users included observations such as, “The people are slowly waking up,” and “Looks and showbiz status are no longer the basis of voters now. They have awakened. Especially the youth.”

Another comment noted, “Thank you Lord, Filipino youth are no longer swayed by song and dance! There is real change.”

It remains to be seen whether Marjorie or Dennis will issue any official statements regarding their unsuccessful election bids.

Their experience underscores the evolving landscape of Philippine politics, where name recognition may not be sufficient to guarantee electoral success, and public perception of a candidate’s character and conduct can play a significant role in the outcome.

The results suggest a potential shift towards voters prioritizing substance and genuine public service over celebrity endorsements.

Dennis Esteban Dominguez Baldivia, better known by his screen name Dennis Padilla, is a Filipino comedian, TV host, radio broadcaster and actor. He was born on February 9, 1962 to the late actor-comedian Prudencio Baldivia and Catalina Baldivia. He is the father of Julia Barretto, a well-known actress, endorser, and vlogger in the Philippines.

Recently, Dennis shared a post featuring Kier Legaspi. On his Instagram page, Dennis shared a photo from his meeting with Kier last year. In the snap, the two actor could be seen beaming while posing for a selfie together. Dennis posted the not-so-old picture along with his short message to Kier.

Meanwhile, the July 2023 interview of Dennis resurfaced on social media where he stated he would attend his daughter Julia's wedding even if he wasn't invited. The interview was discussed again following the controversy caused by his statement that he was not the one who walked Claudia Barretto down the aisle at her wedding. In the interview, Dennis emphasized that he had no intention of causing trouble but simply wanted to witness his daughter's important day. This issue has reopened the discussion about Dennis's relationship with his children and his former partner, Marjorie Barretto.

Source: KAMI.com.gh