Diwata Addresses Social Media Backlash After Election Defeat
Social media personality Diwata, also known as Deo Balbuena, recently spoke out against critics celebrating the Vendors party-list’s failure to secure a seat in the recent elections. The exact four word keyphrase Vendors party-list election loss reflects the central issue Diwata confronted during her Facebook Live session.
Netizens have been teasing and mocking Diwata after the Vendors party-list, where she was a nominee, did not win a position in the House of Representatives. Despite the criticism, she remained composed and responded firmly to the backlash.
“‘Talo ka Diwata,’ eh ano naman ngayon?” she said, addressing her detractors directly. She explained, “Ganu’n naman talaga, hindi naman lahat panalo, may talo, ibig sabihin hindi para sa amin ‘yong ano… meron para sa amin. Ganu’n lang ‘yun, relax lang, chill-chill lang!”
Diwata expressed gratitude to supporters despite the loss, acknowledging that not everyone is destined to win every election. “Ganoon pa man, maraming salamat pa rin sa mga sumuporta, ganu’n talaga ang laban, hindi lahat ay pinapalad na manalo. Mayroon talagang natatalo…tanggap namin ‘yun,” she added.
Continuing Advocacy Despite Vendors Party-List Election Loss
While admitting there is some disappointment, Diwata emphasized that their mission to fight for vendors’ and small entrepreneurs’ rights does not end with the election. “Tanggap namin ang resulta. Pero kahit hindi kami nanalo, hindi doon natatapos ang pagtulong. Sa tindahan man o sa labas nito, tuloy ang serbisyo para sa mga vendor na kagaya ko,” she shared.
This statement underlines their commitment to continue helping vendors regardless of political setbacks, signaling ongoing community support efforts.
Comelec Proclaims Leading Party-List Winners
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the top 53 party-list groups in the recent midterm elections. However, the final allocation of seats in the House of Representatives depends on pending decisions influenced by a 2009 Supreme Court ruling and ongoing disqualification cases.
The proclamation took place on May 19, with Akbayan party-list leading the vote count, receiving 2,779,621 votes or 6.63% of the total 41,658,790 party-list votes. Akbayan’s victory marked a comeback after failing to win seats in both the 2019 and 2022 elections.
Other groups like Duterte Youth (2,338,564 votes or 5.57%) and Tingog (1,822,708 votes or 4.34%) are expected to secure the maximum three seats each. However, Duterte Youth’s seat allocation remains uncertain due to a pending disqualification petition filed in 2019. The petition argues that their registration lacked proper publication and hearings, violating the Party-List System Act of 1995.
Party-Lists With Pending Cases Excluded
Comelec Chairman confirmed that two party-lists were excluded from proclamation due to ongoing cases against them. “We have two party-lists who will not be proclaimed, the National Board of Canvassers suspended their proclamation because of their pending cases,” said the official during a press briefing.
In total, about 50 other party-list groups are expected to gain seats in the 20th Congress of the Philippines.
For more news and updates on Vendors party-list election loss, visit Filipinokami.com.