8 Lessons Losing Candidates (Hopefully) Learned from These Elections

In any given elections, there will naturally be some winners, and people who feel they were cheated. Because nobody loses an election in the Philippines, so it seems.

But these last elections are a wake-up call to everyone who didn’t win, and should make them reconsider some things if they ever want to try again in the future. Here are just 8 lessons these losing candidates should (hopefully) take to heart:

Your online following doesn’t determine your votes

[creditt o=”The Stage” url=”https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/2019/poll-think-far-actors-asked-social-media-following-casting-process/”]

For a certain senatorial candidate and a certain Party-List nominee, they are wondering right now why despite their massive online following, victory didn’t come. In fact, one of them is now complaining against people on his side just because he thinks he was cheated. By people on his side. Because with zero opposition wins in the Senate, he can’t blame the Yellows anymore.

The Lesson: The fact is, online virality is never a guarantee of anything except online virality. If being a popular online fixture resulted in getting voted into power, Rick Astley would be Pope by now.

People get tired of your shit

Via Inquirer

For a certain political dynasty in the last three decades, it must be a shocker to them to see their dynasty crumble in their city all because people are sick of them, and they can no longer manipulate the results enough for it to matter.

The Lesson: Staying in power as an incumbent on the local level often has a low bar to clear: just do something. Anything. If you can’t even clear that, you’re in for a rude awakening.

The endorsement of the administration isn’t enough

Via Rappler

A lot of people who relied on the admin nudge got a nudge. Unfortunately, this didn’t work for everyone.

The Lesson: Make sure that you’re the only admin bet for your race. The last thing you want is for your opponent to also be endorsed by the admin, leading you back to square one.

Attacking the administration while running is a bad idea

Even the biggest success story of this past election was an admin bet, albeit one who has low-key been disagreeing with the admin’s policies. Let’s face it: an approval rating in the high 70’s halfway through the term is unprecedented and comes with a lot of caveats. Food for thought for the 8 candidates who thought otherwise.

The Lesson: Compromise where you can. Where you can’t, don’t. But be prepared for the inevitable backlash either way.

Attacking the voting population while running is a bad idea

You don’t call people stupid then expect them to vote for you. You just don’t. But certain candidates did it, anyways.

The Lesson: You don’t call people stupid then expect them to vote for you. Period.

Sometimes, a makeover is in order

Via GMA

Vico Sotto. Isko Moreno. A certain mayoral candidate in Makati. Can you spot the difference?

The Lesson: Draw your own conclusions here.

Being good isn’t enough

You can be the good one for all people care, but if they’re tired of your clan or party, they’re just done with you.

The Lesson: Budots pa more. Might just work.

You need to come across as the underdog

Despite being the real underdogs, these candidates came across as fierce, unflappable, and absolutely alpha. Unfortunately, these elections showed that you could be at freezing point and have zero degrees, yet nobody cares. So you’re an economist. Who cares? So what’s your sob story?

The Lesson: Some people just aren’t built for the compromises elections require for you to win.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the 8List.ph.

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