Ex-fraternity leader seeks a House seat

BALLOONS AND ALL The start of the eight days for filing certificates of candidacy for the May 2025 elections has become a spectacle in itself, drawing this crowd to the Comelec desk set up in the Manila Hotel. (File photo from GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — A former president of a fraternity is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

Habib Nelson Alonto Sarapuddin lodged the certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) of the 1Agila party-list at Manila Hotel Tent City.

Sarapuddin declined to be interviewed after the filing.

He served as the national president of the group from 2021 to 2023.

READ: Philippine Eagles turns 34, holds feeding

Gregorio Pacifico, the spokesperson of the 1Agila party-list, clarified they are not officially affiliated with the fraternity called Fraternal Order of Eagles.

“We’re different, but we have links to them because our first nominee is the past president [of the organization],” Pacifico said in an ambush interview.

1Agila is a first-time party-list aspirant.

It was accredited by the Commission on Elections in July.