INITIAL LIST: Comelec-approved senatorial candidates for 2025 elections
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has weeded out nuisance candidates from the long list of aspirants formally seeking a senatorial seat in the 2025 polls.
The 66 senatorial hopefuls who passed the initial vetting process of the poll body are the following:
- Abalos, Benjamin Jr. “Benhur” De Castro – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Adonis, Ronaldo Mangampo – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Amad, Wilson Caritero – Independent
- Andamo, Jocelyn Santos – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Aquino, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aguirre – Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino
- Arambulo, Ronnel Gondraneos – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Arellano, Ernesto Rillera – Kamalayang Kayumanggi (Katipunan)
- Ballon, Roberto Amido – Independent
- Binay, Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Sombillo – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Bondoc, James Patrick “Jimmy” Romero – PDP-Laban
- Bong Revilla, Ramon Jr. Bautista – Lakas-CMD
- Bosita, Bonifacio Laqui – Independent
- Brosas, Arlene Duran – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Cabonegro, Roy Jerusalem – Democratic Party of the Philippines
- Capuyan, Allen Arat – Partido Pilipino sa Pagbabago
- Casiño, Teodoro “Teddy” Acevedo – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Castro, Francisca “France” Lustina – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Cayetano, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Schramm – Nacionalista Party
- De Alban, Angelo Castro – Independent
- D’Angelo, David Delano – Bunyog Pagkakaisa Party
- De Guzman, Leodegario “Leody” Quitain – Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
- Dela Rosa, Ronald “Bato” Marapon – PDP-Laban
- Doringo, Eufemia “Mimi” Pet – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Escobal, Arnel Bondilles – Partido Maharlika
- Espiritu, Renecio Jr. Santos – Partido Lakas ng Masa
- Floranda, Modesto Toque – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Gamboa, Marc Louie Santos – Independent
- Go, Christopher Lawrence Tesoro – PDP-Laban
- Gonzales, Norberto Borja – Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas
- Hinlo, Jesus Jr. Villanueva – PDP-Laban
- Honasan, Gregorio “Gringo” Ballesteros – Reform PH-People’s Party
- Jose, Relly Jr. Nufable – Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
- Lacson, Panfilo “Ping” Morena – Independent
- Lambino, Raul Loyola – PDP-Laban
- Lapid, Manuel “Lito” Mercado – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Lee, Wilbert Te – Aksyon Demokratiko
- Lidasan, Amirah Ali – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Marcoleta, Rodante Dizon – Independent
- Marcos, Maria Imelda “Imee” Romualdez – Nacionalista Party
- Marquez, Norman Cordero – Independent
- Martinez, Eric Morales – Independent
- Mata, Richard Tesoro – Independent
- Matula, Jose Sonny Gito – Workers and Peasants Party (WPP)
- Maza, Liza Largoza – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Mendoza, Heidi Lloce – Independent
- Montemayor, Jose Jr. Cabrera – Partido Pederal ng Maharlika
- Olivar, Jose Jessei Dela Calsada – Independent
- Ong, Willie Tan – Aksyon Demokratiko
- Pacquiao, Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Pangilinan, Francis Pancratius “Kiko” Nepomuceno – Liberal Party of the Philippines
- Querubin, Ariel Porfirio Oliva – Nacionalista Party
- Quiboloy, Apollo Carreon – WPP
- Ramos, Danilo Hernandez – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Revillame, Wilfredo “Willie” Buendia – Independent
- Rodriguez, Victor “Vic” Dayrit – Independent
- Sahidulla, Nur-Ana Indanan – Independent
- Salvador, Phillip Reyes – PDP-Laban
- Singson, Luis “Chavit” Crisologo – Independent
- Sotto, Vicente III “Tito” Castelo – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Tapado, Michael Balais – Partido Maharlika
- Tolentino, Francis Ng – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Tulfo, Bienvenido “Ben” Teshiba – Independent
- Tulfo, Erwin Teshiba – Independent
- Valbuena, Mario Jr. “Mar” Soliven – Independent
- Verceles, Leandro Buenconsejo – Independent
- Villar, Camille Aguilar – Nacionalista Party
The other 117 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy for senator but are not on the list above will be the subject of the Comelec’s motu proprio petitions seeking to declare them as nuisance candidates.
The final list of candidates will be released once the Comelec finalizes its rulings on appeals that may be filed by aspirants it declared as nuisance, and legal challenges that might be raised against those who passed the poll body’s initial evaluation. – Rappler.com