UnNews:New cast and plotlines for longest running Filipino sitcom

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

DVD collection of the popular sitcom

Vatican City Entertainment, the parent company of Philippines National Media, announced the final line up of season 19 of the long running sitcom Senate of the Philippines. In a statement, VCE said that their writers had deliberately chosen to focus this season on the strong plot line involving the "Ogre in the Hague" and the usual mix of jugglers, clowns and inbred twits to ensure that viewers will remain glued to their seats for the next season.

“We hope to keep our loyal viewers interested with our traditional focus on power, sex, incest, corruption, murder and pantomime. This is what the public wants from their beloved Senate, so this season we will not spend much time on boring plot lines such as inequality, divorce, abortion, rice monopoly and egregious abuse of power.”
~ Vatican City Entertainment on the 19th season

Topping the bill is Christopher "Bongbong" Marcos, reprising his role as "The President's Shadow," now a lead character in his own right, ensuring the previous season's storylines championed by the Duterte fellowship aren't forgotten. He’s joined by the ever-loyal Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, "The Enforcer," back by popular demand, and a surprise new cast member, Rodante Marcoleta, "The Defender," jumping from a supporting role in the House to a main Senate seat, promising fierce loyalty to the Duterte subplots.

Group photo of the current main characters in the Philippino Senate

We also see the unexpected return of two beloved characters from earlier seasons, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, as the "Comeback Kids." Their high ratings signal a renewed interest in the opposition's narrative arc, a real twist considering their pre-show polling. They’re poised to bring some much-needed dramatic tension and sharp dialogue.

Adding to the ensemble are returning crowd-pleasers like Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto, "The Veterans," bringing their seasoned gravitas. New faces like broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, "the bigamist," and dynastic daughter Camille Villar, "The Heiress," are set to freshen up the cast, with Villar playing a complex role endorsed by rival production houses. Imee Marcos, the "Strategist Sister," also returns, keeping audiences guessing whose script she’ll follow this season. And of course, the show wouldn’t be complete without "Action Star" Lito Lapid, proving his enduring appeal.

This season of "The Senate of the Philippines" promises a dynamic mix of familiar power blocs, surprising resurgences, and intriguing new players. Expect more drama, shifting alliances, and plenty of headline-grabbing episodes as the Marcos and Duterte production teams vie for primetime dominance, with a re-energized opposition ready to steal the scene.

Much is expected of the unexpected casting of Rodante Marcoleta who is a known stooge of supervillain Eddie Manalo and will likely introduce a few sideplots involving intimidation and blackmail.

While most commentators welcomed the casting choices made, there were some dissenting voices. Rappler and ABS-CBN voiced disappointment with the decision not to cast celebrity Manny Pacquiao and child rapist Apollo Quibeloy to add a little bit of spice and steam to what is promising to be a very shaken-up 19th season.

“I'm worried that the emphasis will be too much on the ogre in the Hague, we also want some rape and black eyes.”
~ Maria Resa on 19th season of the Filipino senate

Others voiced their concerns that three sibling pairs is stretching credulity a bit too much.

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

The Filipinos have some incredible men and women, believe me. the Cayatanos, Villars and Estrades are great people, like Ivana and Jared. By themselves they make unpresidented casting decisions, but THREE SIBBLING PAIRS! That's just not believable. One of MURICAS greatest allies, We can't have people think that the Philippines is a banana republic like the Radical Left Democrats!

228 ReTruths 424 Likes 13 May 2025