Battle for Pasig: Midterm Election 2025 Unfolds as Political Titans and New Challengers Clash for the City’s Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The battle lines are drawn, the stage is set, and the drums of democracy thunder once more as Pasig City braces itself for one of the most compelling midterm elections in its history. The 2025 polls promise more than just a political contest—it’s a war of ideologies, legacies, and ambitions as seasoned public servants face off against rising challengers eager to stake their claim in the city’s evolving narrative.

Giting ng Pasig: The Incumbent Powerhouse

Leading the charge of the administration slate—Giting ng Pasig—are familiar and formidable faces.

Congressman Roman Romulo, known for his legislative finesse and unwavering support for educational and welfare programs, seeks another term in the House of Representatives. His stronghold on policy-making and quiet-but-effective leadership continues to earn him respect and loyalty across party lines.

Mayor Vico Sotto, the millennial icon of good governance, remains the face of Pasig’s transformation. His administration has been marked by transparency, anti-corruption efforts, and people-centric policies. Loved by many, feared by the old guards of traditional politics, Sotto’s re-election bid is expected to be a litmus test of sustained progressive leadership.

Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, the basketball legend turned public servant, complements the mayor’s vision with his grassroots connection and sports-driven youth empowerment initiatives. Their tandem continues to inspire hope, especially among the younger generation of voters.

Council Lineup – District 1 (Giting ng Pasig)

A mix of tested leaders and passionate reformists:

Volta Delos Santos (4)

Eric Gonzales (6) – a relentless advocate for community healthcare

Kiko Rustia (11) – environmentalist and media personality turned civic leader

Pao Santiago (13)

Paul Senogat (14)

Simon Romulo Tantoco (15) – tying the legacy of the Romulo family with fresh perspectives

Council Lineup – District 2 (Giting ng Pasig)

Engr. Noel “Buboy” Agustin (1) – the engineer with a vision for infrastructure development

Angelu De Leon (8) – actress and advocate for women and children

Ryan Enriquez (10) – youth empowerment champion

Warren Inocencio (13)

Maro Martires (14) – “#KMM” known for bridging barangay needs to the city hall

Boyie Raymundo (15) – steady hand in community governance

Team Kaya This: The Challenger Bloc

Not to be overshadowed, Team Kaya This emerges with a fiery passion to take back city hall and reshape Pasig with a bold, alternative vision.

Atty. Ian Sia (2) leads their congressional bid, armed with legal acumen and promises of a more aggressive legislative oversight on city policies.

Sarah Discaya (2) steps up for the mayoralty with her platform focusing on inclusive social programs and revitalized public health strategies.

Iyo Caruncho Bernardo (1), a name synonymous with the influential Caruncho clan, attempts to reclaim their once-unshakable political turf as he guns for Vice Mayor. His presence adds both gravitas and tension to the race.

Council Lineup – District 1 (Team Kaya This)

Ron Angeles (1)

Kap. Richie Pua (9)

Atty. Tristan Ambrosio Reyes (10)

JR Samson (12)

Rex Balderrama (2)

Kap. Jess Gaviola (5)

Council Lineup – District 2 (Team Kaya This)

Ara Mina Almarinez (2) – showbiz meets service with a social advocacy agenda

Jun-Jun Concepcion (6)

Kaye Dela Cruz (9) – popular among the youth vote

Steve De Asis (7)

Willy Sityar (16) – a wildcard with a fiercely loyal grassroots base

A City Divided Yet Empowered

Pasig City is not merely witnessing an election—it is watching a reckoning. This 2025 midterm contest will define the city’s direction: Will it continue its crusade of modernized governance under Mayor Sotto and his allies? Or will it shift towards the seasoned and strategic machinery of Team Kaya This, promising revitalization under traditional roots reinvented?

The electorate is more discerning than ever. With increased access to information and a heightened sense of civic duty, Pasigueños are no longer swayed by mere names or campaign jingles. They demand results. They seek transparency. They crave integrity.

The Final Countdown

With both camps fielding strong contenders and the political atmosphere heating up, only one thing is certain—Pasig is at the brink of another defining moment.

Will the Giting ng Pasig team prevail, riding on the coattails of reform and innovation? Or will Team Kaya This stage a dramatic comeback that could shift the tides of city governance?

Come May 2025, the future of Pasig will once again be in the hands of its people.

Let your vote be your voice. Let your voice shape your city.

#Halalan2025: 12 Crucial Reminders from Wazzup Pilipinas to All Filipino Voters on May 12

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Tomorrow, the power is back in your hands.

On May 12, 2025, over 60 million Filipinos will rise before the sun, ready to cast their votes in what could be one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s recent history. After months of campaign noise, political drama, debates, dance numbers, and digital mudslinging, we finally return to the only real stage that matters: the ballot box.

As a community-driven digital media platform committed to integrity, empowerment, and participatory democracy, Wazzup Pilipinas brings you this essential last-minute voter survival guide — not just a list, but a call to action.

1. Check Yourself — Are You Still a Registered Voter?

Don't assume. Double-check your voter status and precinct using the official Comelec Precinct Finder. If you’ve moved or haven’t voted in a while, confirm now. One click can mean the difference between having a voice and being silenced.

2. Know Where and How You’ll Vote

Your ballot is unique to your city or municipality. Familiarize yourself with the names and order of candidates. Comelec’s website provides sample ballots for every locality. Don’t walk in blind — walk in prepared.

3. Make a Kodigo (Voting Cheat Sheet)

Whether you're voting by slate or going for a mix-and-match approach, write your chosen names on paper and bring it with you. Don't rely on memory. Anxiety, crowd noise, and pressure can scramble even the sharpest minds.

4. Know the Voting Schedule — Especially for Priority Voters

Polls open at 5 AM for seniors, pregnant women, and PWDs, and at 7 AM for the general public. Voting ends at 7 PM sharp. Respect the schedule — this is a civic ritual that starts and ends on time.

5. Will You Be Voting in a Mall?

Yes, it's a thing. Select malls across the Philippines have become designated polling centers. Check if yours is included in Comelec’s official list. Voting has never been this air-conditioned.

6. Overseas Voter? Final Chance to Log In

Internet voting is now real for many Filipinos abroad. The pre-enrollment cut-off is 12 noon (PH time) on May 12, and the portal closes at 7 PM sharp. Time zones matter. Vote with your digital might.

7. What to Expect Inside the Polling Place

It’s not just shade-your-ballot-and-go. There’s a process. From identity verification to feeding the ballot into the vote-counting machine, understand every step before you arrive. No time to fumble.

8. Disinformation Will Be Relentless

Fake news doesn’t take election day off. Expect manipulated photos, false declarations of victory, and premature panic posts. Be vigilant. Share only verified sources and encourage critical thinking, not knee-jerk reactions.

9. Bookmark WazzupPilipinas.com and Official Election Portals

We are your alternative voice, and your people’s watchdog. Alongside Comelec’s official results site, keep WazzupPilipinas.com open all day for updates, fact checks, and community-based stories the mainstream media often misses.

10. Stay Tuned for Real-Time Broadcasts

Several platforms — including government channels and news networks — will offer live updates throughout the day. Pick your trusted sources, mute the noise. Don’t fall for unofficial exit polls and fake counts.

11. Vote Counts Transmit at 7 PM

Even if your precinct finishes early, results won’t be sent until 7 PM. This timing ensures uniformity across the nation. Machines will lock, prepare, and transmit straight to the Comelec Media Server. The data race begins.

12. By 8:30 PM, We May See the National Picture

That’s how fast technology can work — if all goes smoothly. While national canvassing and Senate/party-list results may take up to 10 days, most local winners will be known by sunrise. Prepare for celebrations, tears, or both.

Final Words from the Wazzup Pilipinas Founder

This is not just a civic duty — this is democracy made personal. Whether you’re choosing leaders who align with your dreams or rejecting those who betrayed your trust, every shade on that ballot matters.

Let us rise early, strong, and smart tomorrow. Let us vote with wisdom, courage, and integrity. And let us build a Philippines that reflects the will of a people who refuse to be silent.

#Halalan2025 is not just a hashtag.

It’s your future in ink and paper.

Mabuhay ang botanteng Pilipino!

DepEd's Election Command Center: A Nationwide Shield for Teachers, Democracy, and the 2025 NLE

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A surge of anticipation and patriotic resolve fills the air as the country braces for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE). In a resolute display of institutional readiness, the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched its Election Command Center at TechZone, Makati City—transforming a modern office space into a war room for democracy.

From May 11 at 1:00 PM until May 13 at 5:00 PM, this 24/7 command post will serve as the nerve center for thousands of teaching and non-teaching personnel deployed as electoral frontliners. With President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s unwavering call for clean, honest, and peaceful elections echoing nationwide, the DepEd, under the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, is stepping up not only to participate—but to protect.

“The Department stands firm in protecting our teachers and ensuring that they are never alone as they carry out this vital civic duty,” declared Angara, his voice steady and purposeful. “With the full support of the President and the trust of the Filipino people, we are ready to respond, assist, and uphold the integrity of this election.”

This isn’t just another government activation. This is the DepEd ETF—Election Task Force—on full throttle, with an unprecedented Php 99.3 million budget from the General Appropriations Act now fuelling its nationwide operations. For the first time in history, the ETF functions with a dedicated funding line—cementing its role as not just a support system but as a critical pillar of electoral integrity.

A Rapid-Response Force for the Nation

Behind the blinking monitors and telephone hotlines lies a dynamic network. Coordinated from Makati, the Command Center connects to ETF support teams in all Regional and Schools Division Offices, ensuring real-time monitoring, legal aid, crisis response, and field reporting.

Teams are ready to confront potential harassment, confusion at polling centers, health emergencies, or logistical glitches—armed not with weapons, but with rapid communication, legal frameworks, and an unshakable commitment to shield the educators who make elections possible.

More Than a Job—A Civic Mission

For thousands of teachers who serve as electoral board members, the elections are a test of endurance and character. They are expected to be impartial arbiters, patient mediators, and sometimes, the last line of defense against electoral fraud or violence. In a country where elections can be as volatile as they are vibrant, the task is not just daunting—it can be dangerous.

That’s why this year’s activation sends a powerful message: You are not alone. The hotline numbers are more than digits—they are lifelines:

Central Office ETF Hotlines:

☎️ (02) 8633-1940 | (02) 8638-3703 | (02) 8638-1780

☎️ (02) 8633-7256 | (02) 8633-7202 | (02) 8633-7213

☎️ (02) 8638-4044 | (02) 8635-3761

📱 Globe Line: (02) 7908-0374

Every call answered, every report logged, and every teacher assisted is a triumph of public service.

Defending Democracy With Integrity

In an era of disinformation and political polarization, DepEd also issues a clear and firm reminder: all personnel must uphold non-partisanship in accordance with civil service rules. The sanctity of the ballot depends not only on honest voters but on impartial public servants.

With the full machinery of the Command Center in motion, the Department underscores its mission—not just to educate minds, but to protect the nation’s democratic future.

As Filipinos head to the polls this week, the unsung heroes in classrooms-turned-polling-precincts deserve more than just our gratitude. Thanks to this historic mobilization by the DepEd, these modern-day guardians of democracy march into the electoral battlefield not in fear, but with the assurance that their nation stands with them—one command center, one hotline, and one vote at a time.