Upset victories and unexpected outcomes in the race for seats in the House of Representatives make Philippine elections the gripping political theater that it is.

Three individuals who starred in their respective David vs. Goliath moments during the mid-term polls last Monday, May 12 were Christopher “Sheen” Gonzales of Eastern Samar, Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Lusitro of Batangas, and Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Paranaque City.

Gonzales, a former vice govenor, has defeated incumbent Rep. Maria Fe Abunda in the race for Eastern Samar’s lone congressional seat. He was proclaimed by the provincial board of canvassers last Tuesday, May 13 after garnering 177,413 votes to Abunda’s 106,781.

Abunda, sister of renowned television host Boy Abunda, was seeking a third and final term in the House. Her brother was a constant presence throughout the campaign, personally rallying support for her across the province.

In the end it was not enough as Gonzales, son-in-law of House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, pulled off a convincing victory.

Gonzales is married to Libanan’s daughter, Eloisa. The congressional seat he won was previously held by Libanan for nine consecutive years.

Gonzales’ victory was bolstered by widespread local support, including the backing of 19 out of Eastern Samar’s 22 incumbent mayors, who signed a public manifesto endorsing his candidacy. 

In contrast, only three mayors aligned themselves with Abunda.

Over in Batangas' 2nd district, Luistro--the neophyte solon who took the House by storm in the 19th Congress with her analytical yet easy "masa"-friendly interpellations--managed to beat veteran legislator and former House Deputy Speaker Raneo "Ranie" Abu.

Luistro's victory in her district was also affirmed by Comelec Tuesday. This, after she received more than 86,000 votes compared to the over 54,000 of Abu, a former three-term congressman.

Luistro--who had been likened to a less feisty but just as cerebral Miriam Defensor-Santiago--had beaten Abu's daughter for the same post in the previous 2022 elections. 

The House "Young Guns" bloc member had famously squeezed out an "extrajudicial confession" on the drug war killings from former president Rodrigo Duterte during a quad-committee (quad-comm) hearing, leaving the latter both befuddled and frustrated.

"Ito ay simula pa lamang. Patuloy nating paigtingin ang ating serbisyo at malasakit, patuloy na maglakbay sa landas ng pagtulong, at ipagpatuloy ang laban para sa mas maayos na kinabukasan ng mamamayan ng 2nd District of Batangas," Luistro wrote on Facebook after her proclamation.

(This is just the beginning. Let us continue to strengthen our service and compassion, keep journeying on the path of helping others, and carry on the fight for a better future for the people of the 2nd District of Batangas.)

Neophyte congressman Yamsuan claimed his biggest political victory yet during this year's polls when he upset incumbent Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Gus Tambunting.

The final count based on the Comelec's City Canvass Report showed Yamsuan with 82,700 votes; Tambunting with 72,765 votes; and three other candidates with combined total votes of less than 7,000 votes.

Yamsuan, an independent candidate, did not even have a complete local slate in the polls. He took on Tambunting, a longtime official whose name is synonymous with the city.

A former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) assistant secretary, Yamsuan got his first taste of the House in the current 19th Congress when he became Bicol Saro Party-list's lone representative.

He then made the bold decision to pursue a district seat, as he cited the need to implement reforms in Paranaque.

With 172,879 out of 213,621 total registered voters casting their ballots, the voter turnout was 81 percent in the 2nd district, Comelec said.