Ex-PBA MVP Duremdes, Jinkee Pacquiao eye House seats

Kenneth Duremdes, the 1998 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player, is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives as one of the nominees of the Maharlikang Pilipino sa Bagong Lipunan (MPBL) party-list for the 2025 polls.

Duremdes, who will serve as third nominee of the MPBL party-list, joined the MPBL party-list in filing its certification of nomination and acceptance (CONA) on Monday alongside first nominee Ron Munsayac.

MPBL party-list’s second nominee is Manny Pacquiao's wife Jinkee Pacquiao.

The former senator is seeking a Senate return in 2025 and also filed his certificate of candidacy earlier in the day.

“Poverty alleviation is our primary advocacy, and we will push for solid scholarship programs for skilled athletes from poor families and far flung provinces. This will not only cover professional sports, but also provide a pathway to sports-related livelihood such as coaching, refereeing and being statisticians. With these programs, we will provide opportunities for our fellowmen to succeed,” Munsayac said.

“MPBL works with Senator Manny Pacquiao in strengthening the nationwide grassroots sports development program. Not only in basketballall, volleyball, billiards, chess, football, boxing and e-sports. Naniniwala kami na marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang may potensyal na maging susunod na Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlos Yulo, EJ Obiena, at iba pang e-sports champions,” he added.

(We believe that there are Filipinos out there who have the potential to be the next [eight-time world boxing champion] Manny Pacquiao, [Olympic gold medalist] Hidilyn Diaz, [two-time Olympic gold medalist] Carlos Yulo, [Olympian] EJ Obiena and other e-sports champions.)

In addition, Munsayac said MPBL party-list will also push for construction of multi-purpose basketball courts equipped with taraflex flooring to ensure the safety of athletes.

Anakalusugan

During the same day, Anakalusugan party-list lawmaker Ray Reyes officially launched his reelection bid as House member for the 2025 polls.

Reyes said that during his Congress stint, Anakalusugan party-list has successfully advocated for the coverage increase for dialysis treatment which went from 96 to 156 sessions per year, on top of the increase in PhilHealth subsidy for dialysis treatment that went from P2,000 per treatment to P4,000 per treatment.

“Filipinos deserve better healthcare, and we are here to make sure they get it,” Reyes said.

Likewise, Reyes vowed to push for “an honest to goodness” implementation of a fully-funded Universal Health Care Act.

Other party-list groups who filed their CONA on Monday, October 7, include:

• Magsasaka
• Partido Maharlika (PM)
• Advocates and Keepers Organization of OFW
• Koalisyon ng mga Actibong Tumutulong sa mga Retirado at Ordinaryong Pilipino
• Kasambahay Tayo, Inc.
• Bagong Maunlad na Pilipinas
• Pamilyang Magsasaka
• Ipatupad For Workers Inc.
• Abante Bistak
• Ako Tanod Inc.
• Tingog Sinirangan
• Friends of the Poor and Jobless

— BM, GMA Integrated News