Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12)— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to release the final list of candidates for the 2022 polls on Saturday, Jan. 15.
“Ang estimate natin dito is matatapos ‘yung ating final ballot faces by Jan. 15. Final ballot faces mean ‘yun na ‘yung final list of candidates,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a media briefing on Wednesday.
[Translation: We estimate that we will finish our final ballot faces by Jan. 15. Final ballot faces mean this is already the final list of candidates.]
The poll body is also hoping to start the printing of ballots by Jan. 17, Jimenez added.
Comelec’s latest tentative list of candidates show there are 10 aspirants still in the running for the presidency. They are former Palace spokesperson Ernesto Abella, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Vice President Leni Robredo.
Nine aspirants remain in the vice presidential race, while 64 are vying for a Senate seat.
Meanwhile, Jimenez said Comelec is also eyeing to mount election debates from February to April.
“One set of debates per month probably in the 3rd week or 4th week,” he added.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Melissa Lopez contributed to this report.
