Comelec: 17 senatorial aspirants file COCs; 42 party-lists delisted for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on late afternoon Tuesday concluded the first day of the week-long filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 May elections with 17 aspiring senators and 15 party-list groups.

At the same time, the poll body announced the delisting and cancellation of the registration of 42 party-list organizations for the 2025 national and local elections. 

“Talagang ganoon talaga, matumal. Hindi ito kumpara sa local positions,” Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said during a media briefing. “So ito pong bilang sa national candidate ay normal po yung bilang. Ito talaga yung average.”

“Asahan niyo po pagkakita ng October 3, sasadyang tataas na ang bilang,” he added.

(It's really like that, the numbers are few. This is not compared to local positions so this number for the national candidates is normal. This is really the average. Expect that there’s a spike in numbers by October 3.)

For Day 1, here is the list of senatorial aspirants for the 2025 polls:

1. David Chan, sustainability advocate 

2. Alexander Encarnacion, electrician-carpenter

3. Joey Montemayor, former presidential candidate, Partido Pederal ng Maharlika

4. Wilbert Lee, incumbent Agri party-list representative 

5. Felipe Fernandez Montealto Jr., 44, dubbed himself the "youngest senatorial aspirant"

6. Janice Padilla, former teacher and scholarship coordinator 

7. Francis Tolentino, incumbent senator

8. Jose Olivar, independent 

9. Joseph Tan Dy, independent 

10. Najar Salih, independent 

11. Daniel Magtira, independent 

12. Happy Fajardo Lubarbio, independent 

13. Norman Marquez, independent

14. Phil Delos Reyes, independent

15. March Loui Gamboa, independent

16. Miguelino Caturan, independent 

17. Sunang Ditanongun, independent 

Meanwhile, here are the party-list groups which are eyeing seats in the House of Representatives:

1. Bumbero ng Pilipinas 

2. Kabayan or Kabalikat ng Mamamayan

3. Manila Teacher’s Savings and Loan Association Inc.

4. Advocates and Keepers Organization of OFW

5. Liga ng Nagkakaisang Mahihirap

6. Ayan Ni Sol

7. Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines

8. Buhay Natin Yumayabong

9. Bayan Muna Partylist

10. COOP NATCCO Partylist

11. Kamanggawa Partylist

12. Magsasaka Party-list

13. Anti-Crime and Terrorism-Communist Involvement and Support Inc.

14. Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, Inc.

15. DIWA Partylist

 

The Comelec said 3,259 aspirants nationwide filed their COCs during the first day of the filing period.

Of the total number, 17 formalized their bids for senators; 69 for members of the House of Representatives; 16 for governors; 12 for vice-governor; 129 for members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; 325 for mayors; 299 for vice-mayors; and 2,392 for members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan.

The filing of COCs runs from Oct. 1 to 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Earlier, Comelec also announced the delisting of 42 party-list groups for either failing to participate in the last two elections or for failing to obtain a seat in the second round of seat allocation in the last two polls.

“Therefore, by virtue of the powers vested in the Comelec under Republic Act No. 7941, the Commission resolves to delist and cancel the registration of the following party-list groups/ organizations and coalitions,” the resolution reads. 

“This resolution is without prejudice to the failure to file a Manifestation of Intent to Participate of retained party-list groups or organizations, and to the filing of any Petitions for cancellation or disqualification against any party, organization, or coalition and/ or its nominees for the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections,” it added. —with a report from Sundy Locus/RF/KG, GMA Integrated News