The mid-term elections back home are over and done, and many analysts agree that there were a number of surprises, mostly pleasant.

Yes, the usual political dynasties prevailed in many areas. And money flowed like beer on a summer fiesta in both national and local races.

Still, there were unexpected results, specifically in the Senate races where “sure winners” lost while dark horses made it to the winning circle.

Showbiz figures and celebrities generally fared badly in last week’s polls, to the point that showbiz/politicians may soon become extinct.

To this we say: it’s about time.

This is not to say that all celebrities who sought public office were not qualified. One veteran actor was still re-elected to a fourth (non-consecutive) term, while a handful of other winners were known showbiz and media celebrities.

But those who had nothing to offer were roundly rejected by the electorate. We hope that this becomes a permanent pattern in future elections.

Pundits say the youth vote made all the difference. They were no longer being swayed by the old tricks of traditional politicians, who would sing and dance in order to win votes.

Voters between the ages of 18 and 39 showed their parents and grandparents that they wanted to know what were the programs of the candidates, and they were no longer willing to swallow the generic, motherhood messages of old.

Pleasant surprise #1 was the Senate race. The two dominant political groups were the Marcos and Duterte camps. Between themselves, they were expected to win all the 12 seats up for grabs.

Wonder of wonders, two bets considered as independents made it to the Magic 12. Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan not only won, they won big. Aquino placed second and Pangilinan landed at fifth.

In the House party-list race, meanwhile, Akbayan which had lost in the previous elections actually landed in first place thereby clinching three  seats, while the ML camp also made it to the winning column. The latter, incidentally, was not even expected to win, based on the surveys leading up to election day.

As a result, two legal luminaries, Chel Diokno and Leila de Lima will now be lawmakers. Both are eminently qualified to craft meaningful laws, with the former being a dean of a law school and the latter an ex-Justice secretary who was also a senator.

The four independent-minded lawmakers will be playing key roles in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with the two senators serving as jurors, and the two representatives joining the prosecution panel.

Hopefully, the VP will be judged on facts, and nothing but the facts. It is our prayer that no one votes along party lines, as this would be a great disservice to the people.

VP Duterte deserves a fair trial, no more, no less.

With the Philippines’ bicameral Congress welcoming worthy additions, it is  not far fetched to believe that the country’s legislature will finally be the respectable body it used to be in decades past.

We thank the youth who voted wisely. They are, as National Hero Jose Rizal famously said, the hope of the motherland.