Filipino musician-turned-senatorial candidate Jimmy Bondoc is facing a storm of criticism following a viral TikTok video shared by user @ilynm9227on X, which has garnered significant attention.
The video, originally posted by @banaterosofficial, captures Bondoc campaigning for the 2025 Philippine Senate elections under the Duterte-led PDP party. In the clip, Bondoc declares:
“Kung hindi po ninyo iboboto ang DuterTen, ‘wag na rin po ninyo akong iboto” (If you won’t vote for the DuterTen, don’t vote for me either), underscoring his unwavering loyalty to the Duterte political dynasty.
https://twitter.com/ilynm9227/status/1917179219735679278?t=kGr8yVD_xVN_fOabGwXpgw&s=19
This comes as former President Rodrigo Duterte remains detained at The Hague, facing an International Criminal Court investigation, while his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, campaigns for the “DuterteTen” slate to bolster her defense against an impeachment trial.
Bondoc’s political alignment with the Dutertes dates back to 2016, when he endorsed Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential campaign and composed the song “Takbo” to rally support.
His involvement continued with the 2017 “Palit-Bise” rally against Vice President Leni Robredo and a stint as Assistant Vice President for Entertainment at PAGCOR under Duterte’s administration. However, netizens on X have reacted harshly to Bondoc’s recent campaign video.
Comments like @vahn00001’s “So lumabas na din impeachment ang habol nila hahaha” (So their goal is really impeachment) suggest many believe Bondoc’s candidacy is a strategic move to secure allies for Sara Duterte’s impeachment defense rather than a genuine bid to serve.
Others, like @zapanta88’s “Zero vote sa mga Duterten!” reflect broader voter fatigue with the Duterte dynasty.
Others, like @daBings_ , criticized Bondoc’s qualifications, pointing to his lack of political experience.
Political analysts suggest Bondoc’s chances of winning a Senate seat are slim. The Duterte brand, once a political juggernaut, is waning amid Rodrigo Duterte’s detention and growing voter fatigue with dynastic politics.
Bondoc’s campaign, heavily reliant on his Duterte allegiance, may struggle to resonate with an electorate increasingly skeptical of the family’s legacy, especially as calls for accountability grow louder.
JE C.C.
