Aspiring national elections candidates started filing on Friday (Oct.1) their certificates of candidacy (COC) during the first day of the week-long event to make their 2022 poll bids official.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao was the first to file his candidacy for the country’s top position, together with former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as his running mate.
Atienza said he believes Pacquiao will be able to improve the lives of many Filipinos. The latter said in his speech that the problems on internet connectivity, electricity, and corruption must be resolved.
Read more: Pacquiao files COC for president; names Atienza as running mate
Dave Aguila, Dr. Jose Montemayor, Ley Ordinas, and Edmundo Rubi also joined the presidential race by submitting their COCs.
Seeking Senate seats
Antique Rep. Loren Legarda filed her candidacy under Nationalist People’s Coalition in a bid to return to the Senate. The former senator who served for three terms since 1998 said individuals with legislation experience should be elected.
Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero officially expressed his possible Senate comeback through a COC filing through his lawyer George Garcia. Sen. Risa Hontiveros also sought for another term at the Senate by personally filing her COC.
Among the aspirants for a Senate seat also include former Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo, former Pagsanjan Mayor Abner Afuang, Bay Maylanie Esmael, Norman Marquez, Bertito del Mundo, Romeo Plasquita, Samuel Sanchez, Baldomero Falcone, and Phil Delos Santos.
Party-list
As of 3:30 p.m., partylist aspirants that have filed their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) are the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP), Kabayan Partylist, Democratic Independent Workers’ Association (DIWA), Pilipinas Para sa Pinoy (PPP), Alliance of Organizations, Networks and Associations of the Philippines (Alona), and Towards Development and Action (TODA).
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) previously decided to move the venue for filing from its main office in Intramuros to the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
Read more: Comelec to receive COCs from all bets; screening to follow
The COCs will soon be screened before the issuance of the official list of candidates. – Report from Kenneth Paciente/AG- jlo
