Former President Rodrigo Duterte formally declared his bid for mayor of Davao City as he led poll aspirants nationwide in filing certicicates of candidacy (COCs) and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONAs) yesterday.
He was accompanied by his second wife Honeylet Avancena, and his son, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in submitting the crucial document at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in his home turf.
He has served several full terms as Davao City mayor across several decades, before he ran for and won the presidency in 2016.
His son Sebastian will make way for his father’s planned comeback by sliding down to run for vice mayor.
For his part, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, the elder Duterte’s other son, also filed his COC for reelection at the Lower House.
“I thank the Davaoeñoes for their support. I owe this to them and I will never forget it,” the lawmaker said on his Facebook page.
As this developed, a number of veteran politicians, celebrities and other notable personalities also showed up at the Comelec and its satellite offices on Monday, the seventh day of filing COCs for the 2025 midterm elections.
Among them was former Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, who is trying to win back a seat at the Senate in 2025.
The rebel soldier-turned-politician cited the need for stronger legislative interventions to boost food security, improve land use, build up national defense, and advance freedom of information.
Former Sen. Manny Pacquiao also filed his COC in hopes of returning to the Senate in 2025, vowing to rid the government of corruption.
“I will continue my advocacy to fight corruption. During my term as Senator, I have probed cases of corruption in government agencies,” he told reporters.
Pacquiao, accompanied by wife Jinkee, will run under the Marcos administration ticket.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s COC-filing at Manila Hotel’s Tent City was pageantry-filled, complete with a marching band and supporters greeting him with placards of support and flaglets.
Revilla said there is more to be done at the Senate, prompting him to seek another term.
Other well-known names who filed their COCs on Monday included, former Senator Bam Aquino, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and former Sulu Rep. Lady Ann Sahidulla.
Musician-turned-politician Jimmy Bondoc is likewise making another bid for the Senate under the Duterte-led PDP-Laban political party.
Outgoing senator Cynthia Villar also filed her COC for Las Piñas representative this time around.
A total of 38 senatorial aspirants filed their COCs on Monday, a day before the deadline on Tuesday, according to the Comelec.
Comelec chair George Garcia said they are expecting an influx of aspirants to troop to the Tent City to file their COCs on the last day of filing on Tuesday.
The number of party list groups joining the race is 91, but the Comelec expected more to file their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) on October 8.
At least 86 senatorial aspirants have already submitted their COCs to the Comelec as of October 7.
There are 18,289 political seats to be contested. As of October 6, there are 20,324 political aspirants who have already filed their COCs from senators, representatives down to local city and municipal councilors, the Comelec said.
While politicians try to beat the COC-filing deadine, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered lawmen to focus on private armed groups that may attempt to disrupt the elections in May next year.
“With the political climate heating up, our role is critical in ensuring a secure and fair environment for all candidates and the public. I am directing all police units to intensify security operations, especially in traditional election hotspots where tensions often escalate,” he said in a statement.
“We are putting extra attention on regions that have seen heightened activity from armed groups and criminal elements. We will not allow any threats to undermine the democratic process. Our primary objective is to prevent any form of violence or intimidation,” he added.
Marbil also reminded PNP personnel to remain nonpartisan, and those engaged in political interference or supporting candidates “will face severe sanctions.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Comebacking politicians headline 7th day of COC filing.”
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