Poll aspirants flock to Comelec to beat filing deadline
BY GERARD NAVAL and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
BIG names led the list of filers of certificates of candidacy (COCs) yesterday, the eve of the last day of the filing period.
First in the list is former President Rodrigo Duterte, who filed his COC for mayor of Davao City, alongside his son, incumbent city Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who will take the back seat as his father’s vice mayor.
The 73-year-old Duterte had hinted on Saturday that he would join his hometown’s mayoralty race if this was the sentiment of Davaoeños.
Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte also filed his COC for re-election through his lawyer, Elijah Pepito.
In his Facebook page, Rep. Duterte thanked Davaoeños for their support. “I owe this to them, and I will never forget it,” the lawmaker, who is the eldest son of the former Duterte, said in Bisaya.
Aside from the Dutertes, Rep. Sandro Marcos also filed his COC for re-election as representative of Ilocos Norte’s first district.
The presidential son was accompanied by his parents, President Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Lisa” Araneta-Marcos, and Gov. Matthew Manotoc.
For the senatorial race, among the more prominent names who filed their COCs were
Sen. Bong Revilla, former senators Manny Pacquiao, Bam Aquino and Gringo Honasan, former Marine officer Ariel Querubin, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, former national security adviser Noberto Gonzales, and former defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
In the party-list contest, among the celebrities who filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONAs) were actress Nora Aunor, who is the second nominee of the People’s Champ Guardians party-list; Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno for the Akbayan group, former health undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag for the Heal PH group, and re-electionists Rep. Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol and Rep. Bernadette Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon.
Data provided by the Comelec showed 49 filed their COCs for senator and 50 party-list organizations filed their CONAs yesterday at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel.
There are now 127 senatorial aspirants and 137 participating party-list groups, with just a day left in the COC and CONA filing period for the May 2025 national and local polls.
SENATORIAL ASPIRANTS
Other senatorial aspirants who filed their COCs were Raul Lambino, Jesus Hinlo, Richard Mata, Nuryana Sahidulla, Pedro Ordiales, Roberto Ballon, James Reyes, Nelson Ancajas, Maria Fe Era, Arnel Escobal, Diego Palomares, Michael Tapado, Gerald Arcega, Mario Pagaragan, Angelo de Alban, Luther Meniano, Hernando Bruce, Alice Jumalon, Eulogio Partosa, Epifanio Perez, Mario Valbuena, Freddie Maiquez, Leo Cadion, Getter Malinao, Salipada Amir Hussin, Joel Apolinario, Allen Capuyan, Artemio Maquiso, Jose Abelardo Tam, Oscar Ongjoco, Jacino Bonayag, Ferdinand Tuzara, Agapito Casipong, David D’Angelo, Fernando Diaz, Orlando de Guzman, Edgardo Dugue, Jefrey Andrino, Nheling Paliza, and Eduardo Bautista.
Pacquiao, from being critical of the Marcos family in 2022, yesterday staunchly defended the President from allegations of corruption.
Speaking to the media after filing his COC, Pacquiao said he cannot understand why many see the Marcos Sr administration as being corrupt.
“Why do we blame the Marcos family for corruption? Isn’t the country number one in economy during the Marcos era? Is there a corrupt country that is number one in the economy?” said Pacquiao, who is part of the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate.
On the other hand, Aquino, who served as the campaign manager of the 2022 presidential bid of former vice president Leni Robredo, is also looking to make a Senate comeback.
Speaking to reporters, Aquino said he believes that they have a good chance at the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) to win in the coming race as seen in the last elections.
“We are not just a handful. There are many who want to run, want to serve the people with their whole heart and soul,” he said, adding: “Lest we forget that just a few years back, we were able to fill Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, Baguio with supporters. We filled them all. There are many of us.”
Honasan and Querubin, both former soldiers, are also looking to book Senate seats.
Honasan said he wants to complete his “unfinished business” in wanting to have another term as a senator after serving from 1995 to 2004 and from 2007 to 2019.
“I want to go back to continue my unfinished business… land use, national security, freedom of information, national and food security,” said Honasan.
For his part, Querubin said he is making another Senate bid with a goal to push for the protection of the Philippine territory. He ran but failed in the 2010 senatorial race.
“We can no longer take it sitting down and watch helplessly as we are repeatedly bullied in the West Philippine Sea. We should fight and protect it (our territory). We should protect it for our security and our future,” said Querubin.
Honasan said he is running under the Reform PH Party, while Querubin said he is under the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Singson, on the other hand, said that in seeking a Senate seat, he would like to push for two projects, transportation and financial inclusion. He said he would pursue the two programs even if loses in the coming elections.
“(But) It will be easier if I am in the Senate,” said Singson.
He said he plans to modernize the country’s transport industry by investing billions of pesos to manufacture thousands of electric jeepneys and distribute them to drivers throughout the country.
The former Ilocos Sur governor also said he will introduce the “Banko ng Masa” to address the financial exclusion of millions of Filipinos.
“Once in office, every single Filipino aged 18 and above, regardless of region, gender, religion or socioeconomic demographic, will be given a bank account and debit card,” said Singson.
‘COHESIVE DILG’
After filing his COC, Abalos said he is now deemed as having resigned from his post as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He said he does not have any regrets about leaving his Cabinet post as he was able to make the department a very cohesive unit that administers all local governments and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“What is important to me is the story has a good ending… I will leave the Department as a very cohesive unit… with high morale,” he said.
Abalos is running for the Senate under the administration coalition’s ticket.
In a post on his Facebook page, Abalos bid farewell to the officials and employees of the DILG.
“Salamat (Thank You), DILG Family!” Abalos said. “Signing off as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government,” he added.
In a separate Facebook post, Abalos said he will sustain the fight against crimes, including illegal drugs.
During his tenure as DILG chief, over 93,000 anti-drug operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of some 117,000 suspects, including more than 11,000 high-value targets.
PARTY-LIST GROUP
Other party-list organizations that filed their CONAs were the Damayang Pilipino, Ako Ilocano, Ako Bisaya Gryud, OFW, Pamilya Ako, 1MUNTI, Help Pilipinas, ALP, Kalinga, Lunas, Kusug Tausug, PHILRECA, 4K, PBP, USWAG, APEC, AKO-OFW Inc., One Coop, Agimat, Babae Ako, and Turismo.
Also filing their CONAs were party-lists Magsasaka, PM, Ako OFW, Katropa, Kasambahay, AnaKalusugan, Maagap, Bagong Pilipinas, MPBL, PM, Ipatupad, Abante Bisdak, Ako Tanod, Tingog, FPJ, LKP, KBL, Duterte Youth, WIFI, BFF, HFMPI, Barko, ACE, Bunyog, BUNYOG, AA-Kasosyo.
In filing her CONA, Aunor, who was born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, said she wanted to help Filipinos, particularly her colleagues in the entertainment industry.
The party-list filed its certificate of nomination on Friday but only appeared before the media on Monday.
In 2021, Aunor also attempted to run as nominee of NORAA (National Organization for Responsive Advocacies for the Arts) party-list.
Last Friday, the 1-Rider party-list filed its CONA at the Manila Hotel. The party currently holds two seats with its first nominee Reps. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez and Bonifacio Bosita, who also filed his COC for senator yesterday.
1 Rider Partylist is one of the principal authors of the Motorcycle Taxi Bill passed on third reading in the lower house awaiting Senate action.
They are seeking reelection to continue their fight for several landmark legislations, including “Aftermarket Retail Protection Act,” “National Traffic Centralization Act,” “Fair Traffic Apprehension Act” and other inquiry in aid of legislation.
LOCAL RACE
La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega filed his COC, seeking a second term as representative of the first district.
Ortega, one of the leaders of “Young Guns,” officially filed his COC at the Comelec provincial office in La Union, vowing to continue with his campaign advocacy, which includes “fighting for greater allocations in public works infrastructure, education and social services.”
“Ang aking hangarin ay hindi lamang para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating distrito, kundi para na rin sa pag-angat ng ating bansa (My intentions are not only for the progress of pur district but of the whole country,” Ortega said.
Former Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia, wife of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., is also seeking a fresh mandate as the fourth district representative of her province.
Incumbent Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia filed her mother’s certificate of candidacy.
Graduating Sen. Cynthia Villar also filed her COC for representative of the first district of Las Piñas City.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, a member of the opposition Liberal Party (LP) filed his COC, seeking the gubenatorial post of the province.
He was joined by his running mate, vice gubernatorial candidate Alzad Sattar, a well-respected scholar and religious leader in the province, and Maluso Mayor Hanie Bud, whom Hataman endorses to succeed him as Basilan representative.
In Marikina City, Maan Teodoro filed her COC for mayor, vowing to further enhance Marikina City through digitalization and improved ease of doing business.
“Magtatrabaho tayo para mapaganda at mapalawak pa ang nasimulan ni Mayor Marcy. Una na rito ang sapat na pondo at suporta para sa ating small and medium enterprises (We will work to make Marikina city more beautiful and developed, we will continue what Mayor Marcy started. We will make sure that we have enough funds and support for small and medium enterprises),” Teodoro said.
Team Marikina City will also field incumbent Mayor Marcy Teodoro and Donn Carlo Favis as representatives for Districts 1 and 2, respectively.
In District 1, the party’s candidates for Councilor include Kate de Guzman, Cloyd Casimiro, Jojo Banzon, Pat Sicat, Rossette Sarmiento, Adams Bernardino, Hazel Golangco, and Ginny Santos Pioquinto.
Pasay mayor Emi Calixto also filed her COC for a third term as city mayor, while Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano also filed her re–election bid.
In Pasig City, St. Gerald Construction chief financial officer Sarah Discaya filed her COC for mayor, going against incumbent mayor Vico Sotto. — With Wendell Vigilia, Victor Reyes and Christian Oineza