Senatorial bets now number 127
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recorded the highest turnout of aspirants for national posts for next year’s elections on Monday, the second to the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).
Forty-nine personalities submitted their COCs for senator, while 50 party list hopefuls filed their certificates of nomination and certificates of acceptance of nomination (Con-Can). This brought the total number of senatorial aspirants to 127, while the number of party list groups joining the race ballooned to 137.
There was a fiesta-like atmosphere at the Quirino Grandstand where hundreds of supporters had gathered before sending off their respective candidates to the nearby Tent City at Manila Hotel for the filing of COCs. Some were carrying banners and posters; others had a drum and lyre band or speakers blasting loud music.
Due to the sheer number of COC filers, the Comelec extended its working hours from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate them.
Among the more prominent politicians spotted at the venue were three senatorial aspirants backed by President Marcos: resigned Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, reelectionist Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, who wanted to return to the Senate after losing in the 2022 presidential race.
Abalos touted his proven track-record as a longtime mayor of Mandaluyong City, to heading the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority at the height of the pandemic, and promoting good governance in the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Change of heart
While Revilla refused to answer questions from the media, Pacquiao said he would continue his advocacy to fight corruption in government. But from vowing to go after the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family in 2022, he now defended the dictator’s family.
“We always point to the Marcos family when it comes to corruption issues. But have we not learned that during the time of President Marcos Sr. our country was No. 1 in terms of economy?” he asked. His claim, however, has long been debunked. By the end of Marcos Sr.’s regime, the Philippine economy suffered its worst postwar recession, becoming known as the “sick man of Asia.”
Pacquiao’s wife, former Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao was aiming for a seat in the House of Representatives as the second nominee of the Maharlikang Pilipino sa Bagong Lipunan party list.
Superstar Nora Aunor also wanted to enter politics by being the second nominee of People’s Champ party list, which is also affiliated with the boxing champ.
Longtime Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, who arrived in an armored truck, said he did not bear any ill will toward the President, a fellow Ilocano, for not endorsing his Senate run.
Singson said that win or lose, he would push for the modernization of public and private transportation by making electric vehicles affordable to Filipinos.
Former military men Gringo Honasan and Ariel Querubin and former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also filed their COCs for senators. Honasan and Querubin said that among their priorities were to beef up national security and ensure that Filipinos were not harassed in the West Philippine Sea.
Diokno also running
Liberal Party-allied Akbayan party list also filed its Con-Can, fielding human rights lawyer Chel Diokno as its first nominee.
“Rather than advancing the interests of their own families, the people need members of the House of Representatives who will fight for the rights of the ordinary Filipino people,” Diokno said.
Bam Aquino, wearing pink, also wanted to return to the Senate under the banner of Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, which he currently chairs. He was accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Should he make a comeback in the Senate, he said he would push to reform the education sector to ensure jobs for graduates.
Not just three, but four Tulfo siblings may end up being in Congress next year.
Former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo filed her Con-Can as the first nominee of Turismo Isulong Mo party list.
