Election season kicks off: Familiar, new faces appear to file candidacy

Candidates, joined by their supporters, wait for their turn to file their certificate of candidacy at the Manila Hotel Tent City in this photo taken on the first day of filing of COCs on October 1, 2024.

MANILA, Philippines — The first day of filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections on Tuesday saw familiar faces, with the usual fare of incumbents seeking reelection and perennial candidates previously deemed by the Commission of Elections (Comelec) as  nuisance.

As of posting, Comelec said about a dozen aspirants filed their COC for senator, while a number of party-list representatives filed the certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) of their group at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

READ: Comelec: 3,259 aspiring candidates file COC on day 1

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco noted that the filing of COC and Cona in Manila and other areas nationwide are peaceful and orderly, albeit a bit slow.

“Although not too many tendered their COCs and Conas, this is a normal situation for Day 1,” Laudiangco told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

Journey from House to Senate and reelection

Agri Rep. Wilbert Lee made it to a point of being the first aspirant to lodge his COC for senator at around 8:00 a.m.

For Cona filing, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo was the first to do so.

Several dozen supporters of Lee, who was carrying placards and signs outside the filing area on Tuesday morning, but the situation outside was otherwise uneventful.

So far, Senator Francis Tolentino is the sole Senate reelectionist who filed COC on the first day, while the representatives of Buhay and Bayan Muna party-list groups also filed their Cona for a House comeback bid. Former presidential candidate Jose Montemayor Jr., who lodged a COC for senator, expressed confidence that he would make it this time.

READ: Senator Francis Tolentino seeks reelection

Several personalities—with some previously deemed as nuisance candidates for having insufficient political machinery—added color to what should be a solemn event.

A certain Daniel Magtira, who claimed to be actress Kris Aquino’s husband and a fiancé of Sen. Imee Marcos, filed his COC for senator.

On the podium, Magtira also belted out a tune of his own composition, which he dedicated to Senator Marcos, drawing suppressed laughter among the audience.

Sans political machinery

A security guard and an electrician also filed their COC to formalize their bid to join the country’s upper chamber.

Security personnel Phil delos Reyes filed candidacy once more, to advance the rights of his fellow security guards. He was declared a nuisance when he ran for senator in the 2022 elections.

Alexander Encarnacion, an electrician and a carpenter, promised to put into use his invention which could monitor all crimes once elected.

First day COC logs

Based on the data released by Comelec as of Tuesday, 7:30 p.m, a total of 3,259 aspiring candidates filed their COCs for the national and local posts across the country.

Of this data, 80.15 percent or 2,612 of the total aspirants are male, while only 19.85 percent or 647 aspirants are female.

Here are the 17 aspirants who filed their COC for senator:

1. Lee, Wilbert Tee
2. Chan, David Paul Kerr
3. Encarnacion, Alexander Cura
4. Montemayor, Jose Jr. Cabrera
5. Padilla, Janice Malindog
6. Olivar, Jose Jessie Dela Calsada
7. Montealto, Felipe Jr. Fernandez
8. Dy, Joseph Tan
9. Salih, Najar Sahipa
10. Tolentino, Francis Ng
11. Magtira, Daniel Ronquillo
12. Lubarbio, Happy Fajardo
13. Marquez, Norman Cordero
14. Delos Reyes, Phil Batiancila
15. Gamboa, Marc Louie Santos
16. Caturan, Miguelino Lanic
17. Ditanongun, Sunang Monah

Here are the15 party-list groups who filed their Cona

1. Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas
2. Kabalikat ng Mamamayan
3. Manila Teachers Savings and Loan Association Inc.
4. Advocates and Keepers Organization of OFW
5. Liga ng Magkakaisang Mahihirap
6. Akay ni Sol
7. Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines
8. Buhay Natin Yumabong
9. Bayan Muna party-list
10. Coop Natcco Partylist
11. Kamanggagawa Partylist
12. Magsasaka Partylist
13. Anti-Crime and Terrorism-Community Involvement and Support Inc.
14. Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines Inc.
15. Diwa Partylist

Meanwhile, 69 have filed their COCs for House of Representatives member; 16 for governor; 12 for vice governor; 129 for Sangguniang Panlalawigan member; 325 for mayor; 299 for vice mayors; and 2,392 for Sangguniang Panlungsod member.