By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora and Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Senatorial aspirants for the 2025 national elections have reached 58, while the number of party-list groups gunning for a seat at the lower chamber rose to 50 as of Friday.
On the fourth day of the filing period, dominating the key measures that senatorial hopefuls said they would push if elected was an end to political dynasties.
The aspirants also wanted to focus on legislation improving the quality of education and the welfare of teachers.
For senators, 19 filed their certificates of candidacy on Friday while 15 party-list groups submitted their certificate of nomination-certificate of acceptance of nomination (CON-CAN).
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said he is expecting the influx of filers at the latter part of the filing period, especially for party-lists where at least 160 were cleared to participate in the polls next year.
The latest addition to the senatorial aspirants are Makabayan Coalition members Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis, Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Rep. France Castro, former National Anti-Poverty Commission chairperson Liza Maza, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) Chairman Mody Floranda, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) Secretary General Mimi Doringo, Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination Co-chairperson Amiral Lidasan, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos, and Filipino Nurses United Secretary General Jocelyn Andamo.
Also filing their papers were Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Partido Lakas ng Masa members Renecio Espiritu and Leody de Guzman, and independent bets Elvis Beniga, Froilan Serafico, Bonifacio Bosita, and Ernesto Balite.
Filing their CON-CANs, meanwhile, are the party-lists Magbubukid, Pinuno, Gilas, ABP, Gabriela, Pinoy Ako, Ilocano Defenders, BBM, 1 Rider, Abag Promdi, Ang Probinsyano, Subanen, and People’s Champ Guardians.
The filing will end on Oct. 8.
STCC’s obligation
In the same media briefing, Garcia announced that the Comelec en banc has unanimously approved the recommendation of the law department to order the Miru Systems Joint Venture to assume the obligation of St. Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC).
This after the STCC withdrew on Thursday from the Miru joint venture, the poll body’s new election technology provider, amid reports that one of STCC’s owners might run in the 2025 local and national elections.
The 8-page resolution promulgated on Friday provides that the remaining partners “must assume the obligation” of the STCC in the joint venture and in the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) contract.
“As such, the remaining partners of the Joint Venture must submit its NFCC (Net Financial Contracting Capacity), at least equal to the Contract Price or a committed Line of Credit from a Universal or Commercial Bank at least 10 percent of the Contract Price within 10 days from the receipt of this Resolution,” the Comelec en banc said.
The poll body also ordered its own law department to determine whether the joint venture or/and the STCC have committed civil, criminal and/or administrative liability.
The NFCC is a credit line and a certificate of a hold-out on cash deposit that establishes the bidder’s liquidity, or capacity to absorb the additional obligations in connection with the contract to be bid and to finance its implementation/completion.
Miru Systems said the STCC is not part of the development of the automated counting machines (ACMs) and other services.
Under the contract, the South Korean firm will manufacture 110,000 ACMs to be used in the May 2025 midterm polls.