MANILA, Philippines — The list has been finalized: 66 senatorial aspirants will compete for the 12 seats available in the May 2025 midterm polls, the Commission on Elections announced.
The Comelec said that the 66 names they initially identified as senatorial candidates are now final.
“Our candidates for senators, the 66 names, are now deemed as final,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
“We didn’t receive any temporary restraining orders from the Supreme Court. This means we have 117 aspirants declared as nuisance,” he added.
Included in the list are all the 11 members of the Marcos administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate: former interior secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Pia Cayetano, former senator Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Lito Lapid, former senator Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Bong Revilla, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
Others who made it to the final list are known allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte: singer James Bondoc, Sen. Bato dela Rosa, Sen. Bong Go, former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez, religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, Jesus Hinlo, Raul Lambino and actor Phillip Salvador.
Former senator Bam Aquino, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, former senator Gringo Honasan, SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee, Sen. Imee Marcos, former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza, Dr. Willie Ong, former senator Francis Pangilinan, retired Marine officer Ariel Querubin, TV host Willie Revillame, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, as well as labor leaders Sonny Matula, Luke Espiritu and Leody de Guzman are also on the list.
Candidates of the Makabayan Coalition: registered nurse Jocelyn Andamo, PISTON leader Mody Floranda, Kadamay secretary general Mimi Doringo, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary-general Jerome Adonis, Pamalakaya vice chair Ronnel Arambulo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chair Danilo Ramos, former Gabriela representative Liza Maza, former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño and Sandugo co-chair Almirah Lidasan are also part of the list.
Completing the list are Wilson Amad, Ernesto Arellano, Roberto Ballon, Bonifacio Bosita, Roy Cabonegro, Allen Capuyan, Angelo de Alban, David D’Angelo, Arnel Escobal, Marc Gamboa, Relly Jose, Norman Marquez, Eric Martinez, Richard Mata, Jose Montemayor, Jose Olivar, Nur Ana Sahidulla, Michael Tapado, Mario Valbuena and Leandro Verceles.
A total of 183 individuals filed their certificates of candidacy for senator at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel last Oct. 1 to 8.
Regarding local candidates, Garcia said the Comelec is close to resolving all pending petitions to declare certain candidates as nuisance.
“Currently, almost 80 percent of the local nuisance cases have been resolved by the Comelec en banc. We only have a few cases left to resolve,” he said.
Garcia also said they are looking to start printing the official ballots on Jan. 6. “We want to give ample time to resolve all pending cases so we set the start of ballot printing on Jan. 6… At all cost, we must start by that time,” he said.
He said they cannot afford to do it at a later date as they will need 77 days to complete printing the estimated 73 million ballots.
“If you compute the 77 days, that is April 14 next year. That is how tight our timeline is,” Garcia added.