Eleksyon 2025: Positions and what each entails

Close to 70 million registered voters are expected to march to the polls across the Philippines for the midterm elections on May 12, 2025.
 
Up for grabs are a total of 18,280 seats covering 14 different posts from senators to municipal councilors, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
 
Voters must know the positions at stake and the duties and responsibilities of the candidates they will elect.
 
READ: By the numbers: Over 18K posts up for grabs in Eleksyon 2025 Comelec

Senators (12 seats)

They are the primary lawmakers who create bills and resolutions, and discuss and approve the national budget. They are mandated to enunciate national policies that promote public welfare and build an orderly society. The Senate holds legislative power, along with the House of Representatives.
 
Half of the senators are being elected every three years. Senators serve six-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms. In May 2025, twelve (12) posts are available for grabs.

Members, House of Representatives

The House of Representatives, as the Lower House of a bicameral Congress of the Philippines, exercises legislative power with the Senate.
 
The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for three years and shall serve for no more than three consecutive terms.
 
In total, there will be 317 district representatives and party-list representatives elected in May.

Party-list Representatives

Under the “Party-list System Act,” State shall promote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof, which will enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of Representatives.
 
The party-list representatives shall constitute 20 percent of the total number of representatives including those under the party-list.

Local Executives

Under Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, local governments enjoy relative autonomy from the national government. Local government units also have the power to create their own revenue sources and levy taxes, fees, and charges that shall accrue exclusively to them.
 
Each local government has its chief executive, which is also included in the positions that are up for grabs in May 2025.
 
Governors (82 seats)
 
The provincial governor is the chief executive of the provincial government. They may exercise general supervision, enforce all laws and ordinances, and implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the Province.
 
Eighty-two (82) seats are available under the position of governor, and they are limited to three consecutive three-year terms. Once they end their third term, they may not run for reelection but may run again once they let one term pass.
 
Vice Governors (82 seats)
 
The provincial vice governor is the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan who formulates policies and programs for the realization of the vision, mission, and goals of the Province; appoints all officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan subject to civil law, rules and regulations.
 
Eighty-two (82) seats are also available under this position and are limited to three consecutive three-year terms.
 
Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (800 seats)
 
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is responsible for enacting ordinances, approving resolutions, adopting the local development plan, approving the local investment programs, and appropriating funds for the operation of the province, its welfare, and its inhabitants.
 
A total of 800 posts are up nationwide. The term of office is also three years.
 
City Mayors and Municipal Mayors  (1,642 seats)
 
As the chief executive of the city or city government, the city mayor shall exercise and perform general supervision and control in the city or municipality, as well as enforce laws and ordinances.
 
Like governors, mayors are limited to three consecutive three-year terms. Once they end their third term, they may not run for reelection. They may seek the same post only after letting one term pass.
 
For city mayors, 149 posts will be available in the upcoming election, while 1,493 municipal mayors will be elected
 
City Vice Mayors and Municipal Vice Mayors (1,642 seats)
 
They provide leadership and direction to the Sangguniang Panglungsod and Sangguniang Bayan, spearheading and supporting the passage of ordinances, resolutions, and other programs.
 
A total of 1,642 posts will also be filled for the city vice mayor (149) and municipal vice mayor (1,493).
 
City Councilors and Municipal Councilors (13,638 seats)
 
City and municipal councilors or Sanggunian Panlungsod and Sangguniang Bayan members approve ordinances and resolutions and develop plans and programs in the city or municipality. They make up the council of the city or municipality.

–With GMA Integrated News Research/JMB, GMA Integrated News

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