7 Duterte-backed Senate bets file COC

Seven officials associated with the administration on Friday formalized their senatorial bids in next year's elections.

During the last day of filing period, presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, former senator and now Information and Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan, SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica, broadcaster Rey Langit, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones and actor Robin Padilla filed their certificates of candidacy for senator.

The seven are among the aspirants nominated by the PDP-Laban faction under Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

At around 3:30 p.m., President Rodrigo Duterte arrived at the Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. He and Senator Bong Go, who is running for vice president, accompanied the five in filing their COCs.

Duterte raised the hands of the senatorial aspirants as sign of support to their candidacies.

Apart from the seven aspirants who filed on Friday, Duterte also took pictures with former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and MOCHA partylist nominee Mocha Uson while raising their hands.—KBK/AOL, GMA News