Metro Manila, Philippines – The race for the 2025 midterm polls heats up, with several groups and personalities announcing their election bid ahead of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) next month.
NewsWatch Plus lists down the candidates vying for the 12 prestigious Senate seats – from familiar faces to rising names.
Familiar faces
Incumbent Senator Bong Revilla is seeking to get another spot in the upper chamber, after he was formally introduced as Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats’ sole candidate for the Senate race.
The actor-turned politician served as a Senator from 2004 to 2016, and got reelected in 2019.
On Sept. 20, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) also formally nominated reelectionist senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa.
Dennis Coronacion, political analyst, said more reelectionists and returning politicians may surface in the 2025 polls.
He said it is also “worth-monitoring” whether former President Rodrigo Duterte will join the race.
In an OCTA Research survey held on Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 – senatorial preferences are dominated by either reelectionists or returnees.
Jan Robert Go, UP political science professor, finds this concerning.
“The usual names are on the list, mostly coming from political dynasties. Other formal national politicians are taking chances in local or party-list elections, perhaps a means for political comeback. Elsewhere, it is like business as usual for our politicians,” he said.
RELATED: Tulfo brothers, sitting and former lawmakers top senatorial survey
Returnees
Meanwhile, veteran lawmaker and former Senator Kiko Pangilinan is eyeing to make a Senate comeback after his failed vice-presidential bid in 2022.
Pangilinan formally accepted the Liberal Party’s nomination on Friday, Sept. 20.
“We will make things right, and we will do it with all our might, because we love our children, and we love our country,” he said.
ACCEPTANCE MESSAGE BILANG KANDIDATO NG LIBERAL PARTY SA PAGKA-SENADOR SA 2025: pic.twitter.com/DjPrw8Yu0H
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) September 20, 2024
Pangilinan is running alongside long-time ally Bam Aquino, who served in the upper chamber from 2013 to 2019.
Marami tayong tatrabahuhin at pagsisipagan sa mga susunod na buwan. Tara let’s? 💪🏻🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/fkAScoJlwD
— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) September 20, 2024
Hoping to land a seat for the first time
While popular figures have announced their bids to reclaim Senate seats, some people are eager to secure a spot for the first time.
Among them is human rights advocate Chel Diokno – who ran for Senator and lost twice. He is running alongside Aquino and Pangilinan – and are all backed by opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros.
RELATED: Chel Diokno joins Hontiveros’ party for 2025 polls
Labor leaders Leody De Guzman and Luke Espiritu will also try their luck again in the national polls. De Guzman vied for the presidency in 2022 but lost to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while Espiritu failed to land a Senate seat in the last elections.
The Makabayan coalition also bared last month its senatorial slate – composed of leaders and representatives from various sectors. They are:
+ Mody Floranda – Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) chairman
+Mimi Domingo – Militant group Kadamay
+ Jocelyn Andamo – Filipino Nurses United
+ France Castro – ACT Teachers Party-list representative
+ Arlene Brosas – Gabriela Women’s Party-list representative
+ Jerome Adonis – Kilusang Mayo Uno
+ Liza Maza – former anti-poverty czar
+ Teddy Casino – former BAYAN Muna representative
+ Ronnel Arambulo – Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) vice-chairperson
+ Danilo Ramos – Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairman
The coalition said the aspirants have a common vision for a “just and equitable” Philippines.
The filing of COCs will run on Oct. 1 to 8, with the polls set on May 12, 2025.
