Low turnout in PH elections in Marianas

05/20/2025—The 2025 Philippine elections saw only a lowly 8.4% turnout among online voters from the Marianas, according to the Republic of the Philippines’ Commission on Elections results that can be accessed via https://2025electionresults.comelec.gov.ph/er-result.

Of the 2,179 Filipino voters that registered in Guam and the CNMI—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—only 183 cast their vote online for the paltry aforementioned 8.4% turnout rate.

Overseas Filipino voters can vote for the country’s senators with only the Top 12 vote-getters getting a seat in the upper chamber of the Philippine legislature. They can also choose a party list representative for the lower chamber, the Philippine House of Representatives.

Of the 66 candidates that ran for senator, independent candidate Ping Lacson garnered the most votes with 83, followed by PDP-Laban’s Bong Go and Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino’s Bam Aquino with 82 votes apiece. Independent candidate Rodante Marcoleta and PDP-Laban’s Bato Dela Rosa complete the Top 5 with 81 and 79 votes, respectively. 

Here are the Top 12 senatorial candidates in the 2025 Philippine Elections in the Marianas.

1. Ping Lacson (IND) 83

2. Bong Go (PDPLABAN) 82

3. Bam Aquino (KNP) 82

4. Rodante Marcoleta (IND) 81

5. Bato Dela Rosa (PDPLABAN) 79

6. Kiko Pangelinan (LP) 74

7. Tito Sotto (NPC) 68

8. Benhur Abalos 64

9. Erwin Tulfo (LAKAS) 63 

10.Pia Cayetano (NP) 61

11.Haidee Mendoza (IND) 59

12.Gringo Honasan (RP) 55

For party list race, here are the Top 3 vote-getters in the Marianas.

1. Duterte Youth 19

2. ACT-CIS 12

3. OFW 11

Nonresident worker advocate Irene Holl said she prayed before the 2025 Philippine elections last May 12.

“I prayed for God to give the voters wisdom to choose the right people. People who will work for the people and not steal from the people. I also pray that there will be unity so everyone can work together for a better nation.”

Lito Espino, a member of the United Filipino Organization, said he’s still frustrated with the result of the elections as traditional politicians were still voted in by his countrymen.

“Filipinos will continue to suffer when the people they vote for are all thieves from the public treasury. Many are smart, I don't know why Filipinos don't vote and then complain that the government has no progress. They vote for only scum,” he said in Filipino.

Darwin Gonzales, a business owner on Saipan, said he was frustrated with the online process in this year’s elections.

“I tried last Saturday (May 10) and the page just expired two times. Their information drive prior to the elections was a mess. Online voting should only be an option there,” he said.

UFO president Carlito Marquez said the umbrella group of Filipino organizations on Saipan held an information campaign last May 3 at the Marianas Business Plaza to familiarize Filipino overseas voters on the online voting process. 

“Only less than 20 people registered, but many inquired, but it seemed like they had no interest in voting, especially when we said it was internet voting, they just shook their heads and left.”

Marquez said it appears that online voting option will take time to be accepted by voters on Saipan.

“Last Saturday (May 10) again, I was hanging out at the Sabalu Market and I asked everyone I knew if they had already voted, they just shook their heads and then nothing. I said I would help you enroll, then they were surprised and said, ‘why do you even need to enroll?’ It means they lack awareness when it comes to internet voting.”

Story by Mark Rabago