VOLUME XCVII / NO. 7 · MAY 20, 2025 · THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS · Manila, Philippines
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POPE LEO XIV ►
Duterte-aligned, opposition, admin candidates split Senate seats A MIX of Duterte-allied and traditional opposition bets emerged as Filipinos’ “Magic 12” picks for the Senate, according to the final results released by the National Board of Canvassers on May 16. Two members of the original Duterte-backed “DuterTen” slate secured spots in the top three: Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go topped the Senate race with 27.12 million votes and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa ranked No. 3 with 20.77 million votes. SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and incumbent Sen. Imee Marcos — both independents aligned with Duterte — also landed in the top 12, placing No. 6 and No. 12, respectively. Outside of the four Duterte-aligned candidates, two opposition and six administration-backed bets cracked the top 12. SENATE SEATS PAGE 10
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STORY ON PAGE 6
Isko Moreno clinches 2nd mayoral term in Manila By Fritz Nathan A. Diaz
FRANCISCO “ISKO Moreno” Domagoso made a political comeback after being proclaimed as the newly elected mayor of the City of Manila on Tuesday, May 13. Domagoso, who served as mayor from 2019 to 2022, won 560,338 votes, far ahead of incumbent mayor and former ally Honey Lacuna, who had 197,572 votes. “I am grateful to each and every citizen of this city. With this type of mandate, I really owe it to you. I will do my best to be a better mayor of this city,” Domagoso said after his proclamation at Manila City Hall. Winning alongside Domagoso was his running mate Chi Atienza, who won with 616,881 votes. She will replace Vice Mayor Yul Servo-Nieto. Twenty-two councilors from Moreno’s Aksyon Demokratiko secured the majority of the city council, while four congressional seats in the city’s six districts will still be held by Lacuna’s
ART BY LOUELLE MARIE P. BUMALAY
is first American, Augustinian pontiff
Asenso Manileño. “Maraming maraming salamat sa mga naglaan ng panahon, sa mga nagalay ng kanilang lakas, talino at kakayahan sa pagsama sa ating kampanya. Buong kababaang loob nating tinatanggap ang kapasyahan ng higit na nakararami sa atin,” ► Isko Moreno Lacuna said in a statement following her concession. again,” he said in a Facebook stateBoth Lacuna and Tutok to Win ment on Wednesday morning. party-list Rep. Samuel Verzosa conIn an interview following the parceded their bids a day after the unoffi- tial results of the elections, Moreno cial election results showed Moreno’s said he was willing to talk with his wide lead in the election results. rivals. Following his proclamation, More“At the end of the day, taga-Maynila no urged supporters to move forward sila e, ‘di ba? Magiging mamamayan and be “magnanimous” in victory. ko rin sila. And as I have been doing “Ang panawagan ko po sa inyong and committed to do, sa Maynila panlahat na pahupain ninyo na ang dam- tay-pantay. They are still members of damin ninyo. Huwag tayong mag- the community, we are willing to serve away-away. Let’s move on with our them,” Domagoso said. lives. We must work together, because Domagoso is set to assume office together, we can make Manila great on June 30.
NEWS ► PAGE 4
Dispute between UST, faculty ends with breakthrough compromise deal EDITORIAL ► PAGE 8
Opposition’s resurgence in polls sparks cautious optimism