The Commission on Elections on Saturday said 70 senatorial aspirants have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) while 73 party lists-have submitted their certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) since the start of filing for the 2025 midterm elections.
On the fifth day of fling, 12 senatorial aspirants and 23 party lists formalized their bid for the upcoming polls.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said in a press conference the poll body is expecting a large number of pending applicants as it awaits 160 party-list groups, organizations, and political parties to file their CONAs.
Former President and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed her COC to formalize her re-election bid.
Arroyo, who is running under Lakas-CMD where she is the chairman emeritus, said she is “committed to addressing the needs and priorities of my constituency and the province of Pampanga.”
Former Vice President Leni Robredo, on the other hand, filed her COC for Naga City mayor.
“I’ve tried legislative work, I’ve tried the executive branch, and I’m sure that – first, I’m better suited for an executive position, and second, community work is truly my passion, which is the essence of being a mayor,” Robredo said.
For his part, veteran broadcaster Ben Tulfo joined his brother Erwin in running for senator in the midterm race. Should the two of them win, there will be three Tulfo brothers in the Upper Chamber, together with Senator Raffy Tulfo.
Former Justice secretary and ex-senator Leila De Lima is also making a comeback in the political arena as Mamamayang Liberal party-list’s first nominee.
Makati 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr. also filed his COC for the city’s top local post in the upcoming midterm elections, directly going against his sister-in-law, Senator Nancy Binay who is seeking the same post next year.
Campos, who is in his third and last term as congressman, is running with incumbent 1st District Rep. Romulo Peña Jr. as his vice mayor.
