Having celebrity status may be advantageous when it comes to running for public office, but reelectionist Jinggoy Estrada believes it doesn’t guarantee victory in the polls.

“Ang tinitingnan kasi ng taong bayan ngayon [ay] ‘yung karanasan. Kung may karanasan kang humawak ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno, kung naging mayor ka dati, kung naging congressman ka dati -- ‘yun ang tinitingnan, 'tsaka ‘yung performance mo while you’re in public office,” the former actor and senatorial bet related in an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda,” May 12.

As of the day of interview, Jinggoy sat comfortably at number two in the polls, behind fellow actor and senatoriable Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

Two other celebrities who have had experience in the Senate are included in the partial and unofficial list of top 12 senators as well: Vicente “Tito” Sotto III at number nine, and Manuel “Lito” Lapid at number 11.

“Iba na kasi ‘yung incumbent ka 'tsaka may name recall,” Jinggoy quipped.

Prior to the May 10 elections, Bong and Jinggoy have dominated the first and second places in the surveys, respectively.

When asked to what he attributes these positive results, Jinggoy said “performance.”

“Modesty aside… siguro dahil sa aking mga nagawa sa Senado… ‘yung performance natin sa Senado 'tsaka ‘yung mga bills na naipasa,” he said.

Before he was elected Senator in 2004, Jinggoy served as vice-mayor of San Juan while taking up his Bachelor of Laws degree at the Lyceum University. In 1992, he was elected mayor of the same city, becoming one of the youngest (at 29 years old) to have clinched the post. He governed for three terms.

Popularity is also not an excuse to be complacent with campaign efforts, Jinggoy added.

“Unang-una, sinet ko na ‘yung isipan ko 'tsaka ‘yung katawan ko to the 90-day campaign that I have to stay focused, healthy, and kailangang gumising nang maaga, matulog nang late kung kinakailangan. Talagang nagsipag ako. Pumupunta ako sa mga probi-probinsya kahit walang schedule ‘yung partido namin. Ako mismo ang umaalis at nangangampanya mag-isa,” he shared.

Celebrities who have been declared winners in the recent elections are Herbert Bautista (Mayor of Quezon City), Isko Moreno (Vice-mayor of Manila), Precious Hipolito, Alfred Vargas, Roderick Paulate, and Gian Sotto (councilors of Quezon City), and Manny Pacquiao (congressman of Sarangani).

Meanwhile, those who lost were Edu Manzano (vice-president) Joey Marquez (mayor of Parañaque), Anjo Yllana (vice-mayor), Aiko Melendez (vice-mayor of QC), Arnel Ignacio, Jaime Fabregas, Ara Mina, John Lesaca and Ogie Diaz (councilors), and Dingdong Avanzado (congressman of Siquijor).