A host of well-known personalities from Northern and Central Luzon have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for various positions in #Eleksyon2025.
In Tarlac, incumbent City Mayor Cristy Angeles has filed her COC for congresswoman of the 2nd District. Alongside her, actor Aaron Villaflor is running for board member in the same district.
In Pampanga, former Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda Cayabyab is set to run for mayor of San Fernando City under the local political party Kambilan.
Cayabyab will compete against incumbent Mayor Vilma Caluag, who has also submitted her COC.
Dr. Hazel Tumang, daughter of former Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy Tumang, is vying for congresswoman of the Third District.
Retired General Oscar Albayalde is joining the mayoral race in Angeles City, alongside actor Aljur Abrenica, who will run for councilor.
In Nueva Ecija, Governor Aurelio Umali has filed his COC for governor, with his brother Raymond Umali running for vice governor and his wife Czarina aiming for congresswoman of the Third District.
In Cagayan, former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Edgardo Aglipay filed his COC for governor while incumbent Governor Manuel Mamba seeks to retain his position as vice governor.
This sets the stage for a three-cornered gubernatorial race in the province, with incumbent Vice Governor Melvin Vargas, Jr. and Dr. Zarah Lara also in the running.
In Pangasinan, various aspirants flocked to the provincial Commission on Election (COMELEC) office to file their COC on the last day.
Notable figures include former Provincial Board Member Generoso Tulagan, Jr. for board member of the Third District, and re-electionist Congressman Mark Cojuangco.
Gilbert Estrella seeks to become congressman of the Sixth District. Alongside him is his father, Conrado Estrella III, Department of Agrarian Reform secretary.
Rachelle Arenas, the incumbent congresswoman for the Third District, also filed her COC.
"After here, dadalhin na natin ang mga COC at CONA (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance) nila sa main office for review, verification ng law department, at election reform ng statistics department namin," Atty. Ericson Oganiz, provincial election supervisor of COMELEC-Pangasinan, said.
According to COMELEC, the filing of COCs proceeded smoothly over the eight-day period in Region 1, with candidates avoiding conflicts in their schedules to ensure a peaceful process.
“Siguro dahil itong mga kandidato natin nalalaman kung kailan mag-file ang kanilang mga katunggali, kaya sa ibang schedule din sila nag-file ng kanilang candidacy,” Atty. Reddy Balarbar, assistant regional election director, said.
