MANILA – Familiar faces eyeing to make a comeback and political newbies filed their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for senator on the last day of the filing period before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila on Wednesday.
Detained former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., filed his COC through his wife, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla.
“Matapos (ang) masinsinang pananalangin, pagkonsulta sa mga kaibigan at taga-suporta, at pagdulog sa pamilya, buo ang aking pasya, muli akong humaharap sa ating mga kababayan para minsan pa, ako’y inyong pagkatiwalaan (After solemn prayers, consultations with friends, supporters and my family, I have made a decision. I will face once again the people for them to trust me once more),” the actor-turned-politician said in a statement read by Lani.
“Kakandidato ako bilang senador sa eleksyon ng susunod na taon upang maging kaisa ng pamahalaan sa paglutas ng mga problema ng bayan (I will run for senator in next year’s elections to be one with our government in addressing the problems of the nation),” she added.
Revilla is running under the Lakas CMD party.
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who is seeking for another term, said he will focus on giving quality education and create more jobs. He is running under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.
Meanwhile, former senator Sergio Osmena III is eyeing a return to the Upper Chamber as an independent candidate.
“I’ll cover more areas than I covered in the past. I intend to speak to people not only thru media but thru Facebook,” he explained.
If elected, Osmeña’s priority legislation would be the Land Use Act, redoing the Department of Agriculture, among others.
Asked to assess the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, the former senator said, “He’s been a good leader in the sense that people follow him, he has to make sure he has good people under him and this is what I think I’ll be able to help him do.”
Former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Rafael Alunan III is also joining the senatorial race for the second time.
“In 2016, Senator Gordon run to win and he won big. In 2016, I ran to reintroduce myself to the public because I was told that I need three years to build a winning run way. Today, I filed my candidacy for senator for 2019, I’m on track and I’m running to win,” Alunan added.
New faces are also vying for a Senate seat in next year’s polls.
Veteran broadcast journalist Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad joined the senatorial race, saying he wants to serve the people, especially after seeing the plight of ordinary people during calamities, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
“I am seeking a seat in the Senate because I feel that this can further expand the scope of my public service. I feel that I will be more effective if I will be given the chance to serve as a Senator,” the 43-year-old journalist added.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, meanwhile, said he will push for fiscal reforms.
Hilbay is running under the Aksyon Demokratiko Party. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
