Day 1 of election season draws mix of familiar, new faces
A party-list lawmaker, an electrician, and a former presidential candidate were among the first aspiring politicians to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on the first day of the eight-day filing period for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).
Commission on Elections chairperson George Garcia said the poll body is expecting prominent politicians, celebrities and other individuals to file their COCs until October 8.
Seventeen senatorial bets filed their COC while 15 party-list organizations filed their CONA yesterday, Garcia said.
“So far, our nationwide monitoring showed there were no disturbances during the filing of Certificate of Candidacy. Our first day was a success. Outside the venue, the filers have many companions but they were able to observe order during the filing,” he added.
Garcia said the poll body delisted and cancelled the registration of 42 party-list organizations for either failing to participate or failing to get a seat in the last two elections.
On the other hand, at least 160 party-list organizations will be accredited, of which 42 are new groups.
AGRI party-list Wilbert Lee was first to file his COC for a senatorial seat at the Manila Hotel Tent City. His supporters were at the area as early as 5 a.m.
Former presidential candidate Joey Montemayor, who is attempting for a Senate seat for a third time, will be running under the Partido Pederal ng Maharlika (PPM).
Alexander Encarnacion, an electrician and a carpenter, submitted his COC with the promise of improving the lives of all Filipinos. He, however, has not been able to participate in any senatorial elections in the past because he was always disqualified by the Comelec for being a nuisance candidate.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino also formalized his bid for reelection under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which is part of the administration’s Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas.
The first party-list to file a certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for the 2025 midterm elections was the Kabayan Party-list, led by incumbent Rep. Ron Salo.
Bayan Muna also filed its CONA, fielding seasoned human rights lawyers Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate as first and second nominees, respectively.
Over 18,000 positions will be contested by candidates across the country in the May 2025 midterm polls, Garcia said.
In the national race, 12 senatorial seats, 63 seats for party-list representatives and 254 seats for congressional district representatives will be available.
For the local polls, there are 82 seats each for governor and vice governor; 800 seats for Sangguniang Panlalawigan members; 149 seats each for city mayor and city vice mayor; and 1,690 seats for Sangguniang Panlungsod members.
Similarly, there are 1,493 seats each for municipal mayor and municipal vice mayor; 11,948 seats for Sangguniang Bayan members; 25 seats for the members of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament and 40 seats for the BARMM party representatives.
The campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives, as well as parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal offices will be from March 28, 2025 to May 10, 2025.
In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday filed her COC to formalize her re-election bid.
“It is how we have improved the lives of our QCitizens and earned their trust in the past five years. It is the resounding vote of confidence from the business sector, even amid the pandemic and other challenging situations. Ultimately, what matters most is the lasting impact we have made on the people we serve,” she said.
Quezon City 1st district Rep. Juan Carlos Atayde likewise filed his COC for a second term under the Alyansa banner.
In Antique, Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda, accompanied by his sister Senator Loren Legarda, also filed his COC for a second term.
In Batangas, Gov. Hermilando Mandanas filed his COC for a vice gubernatorial seat in the 2025 midterm elections.
“My term as a governor has ended but our advocacy to serve the public remains. We want to help the governor who will be chosen by the people,” he told Manila Standard.
Actor Luis Manzano is reportedly vying for vice governor while his mother, former Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, will run for governor.
For his part, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said he is looking into an early implementation of the election gun ban.
“We are going after loose firearms so we are very careful. I said there are so many loose firearms so we are very strict now but we are really considering an early gun ban for this upcoming election,” Marbil said.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10999, the gun ban will be in effect during the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11, 2025.
