Abalos, Pacquiao, Revilla file COCs for senator

MANILA, Philippines — Benhur Abalos officially launched his senatorial bid yesterday by filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and said he is deemed resigned as interior and local government chief.

Abalos was accompanied by his father and namesake and now incumbent Mandaluyong mayor, along with two other members of their family when he submitted his COC.

While lagging in surveys, Abalos expressed belief he could still win because of his strack record in public service.

Abalos said he would rather ignore critics and bashers and remain focused on pursuing his goals. If elected, Abalos said he would pursue measures aimed at reducing the cost of electricity and those promoting job generation and agriculture.

Some incumbent and former senators, civic leaders and some familiar names also filed their COCs yesterday. Filing of COCs ends today.

Aiming for reelection under the administration slate, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. joined the long queue of COC filers yesterday.

He said he is seeking reelection as there is still much to be done. As a senator, Revilla said he had filed almost 2,000 bills and measures, of which 399 were enacted into laws.

Among the measures he intends to push if he gets elected again are lowering of retirement age of government workers and strengthening of the agricultural industry.

Fellow administration candidate and former senator Manny Pacquiao also filed his COC, accompanied by wife Jinkee. The boxing legend said he decided to rejoin the chamber to continue his fight against corruption.

Pacquiao said that while many elective officials have used their positions to enrich themselves, his own record was of being a warrior against corruption.

Concerning his son’s decision to run, Pacquiao said there is no law against political dynasty and that anyone can run for election as long as they are qualified.

Gringo, Lorenzana

Former senator Gregorio Honasan said he wished to make a Senate comeback to “make a difference” and continue unfinished reforms.

Honasan arrived at the Manila Hotel Tent early to file his COC. He said he is running as an independent but would still be part of the Senate’s so-called macho bloc, whose two other members – former senators Vicente Sotto III and Panfilo Lacson – are running under the administration senatorial slate.

“You cannot disband the macho bloc because it involves our personal lives or official lives, it’s a very personal relationship,” Honasan said.

Honasan was among those who started reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines 40 years ago and he is now running for senator again to represent the newly formed Reform Ph party.

Among the “unfinished business” he intends to continue are reforms in land use, as well as national and food security.

He was one of the leaders of the several coup attempts against the administration of the late president Corazon Aquino.

Another former military man, retired Army colonel Ariel Querubin, also launched his Senate bid yesterday, as he filed his COC accompanied by members of his family and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a known anti-corruption crusader.

He said his three major advocacies are fighting hunger and poverty, promoting quality education, and protecting the West Philippine Sea.

Although running as an independent, Querubin said he has the support of the Nacionalista Party and thousands of retired generals belonging to different political parties.

PDP-Laban secretary general Jayvee Hinlo also filed his COC for the senatorial race. He was accompanied by party president Sen. Robin Padilla.

Although not as popular as other candidates, Hinlo said voters are now looking for new faces among the candidates.

Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena, whose party-list group was denied accreditation by the Comelec, said he decided to join the Senate race so that he and his group can continue raising issues affecting the transport sector.

He said Manibela has already filed a manifestation appealing against its exclusion as a party-list group by the Comelec.

The group has long been vocal against what it called hasty implementation of the public utility modernization program.

He accused the Comelec of depriving small operators and drivers of representation in Congress.

Mendoza eyes Senate

Meanwhile, anti-corruption advocate and former audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza said she is joining the senatorial race, and will file her COC today.

“I may not have the money, I may not have a political party, but I have a very rich experience in monitoring how public funds are being spent. It is clear to me what I want to contribute,” Mendoza said in Filipino in an interview with “Storycon” on One News.

“I recognize the reality that this will be an uphill battle. But deep in my heart, I believe that my fear is not enough to prevent me from my intention to contribute, even just a little,” she added.

Mendoza, a convenor of political coalition 1Sambayan, said she will run as an independent, but will reach out to different political parties that may want her as guest candidate.

If elected, she vowed to focus on reforms aimed at improving public spending and budget utilization.

These include ensuring fiscal independence of the Commission on Audit and limiting the number of agencies entitled to confidential funds.

Mendoza served as COA commissioner from 2011 to 2015.

She was also the undersecretary general for the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight from 2015 to 2019.

By the time the Comelec stopped accepting COCs late yesterday, the number of senatorial aspirants had ballooned to 127, including the 49 who filed their COCs for the day. A majority of the filers were unknown personalities.

Other public figures who submitted their COCs for senator were former defense chief Delfin Lorenzana and Charter change advocate Raul Lambino.

Also yesterday, 50 organizations and political groups submitted their certificate of nomination and certificate of acceptance, bringing to 137 the total number of groups that officially expressed intention to participate in next year’s party-list polls.

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said they expect the same huge number of aspirants today, the last day of COC filing. — Janvic Mateo, Ghio Ong