LOOK: 66 in, 117 out in initial list of senatorial aspirants

Metro Manila, Philippines – Sixty-six senatorial aspirants have made it to the initial list released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, Oct. 16, while 117 others face potential disqualification as nuisance candidates.

The poll body adopted its law department’s recommendation to consider putting the following names in the official ballot for the May 12, 2025 senatorial elections:

“The above-list is without prejudice to the decision of the Division or En Banc in the petitions to declare as nuisance candidates filed by the Law Department,” the Comelec said in a resolution signed by all commissioners.

The full commission also authorized its law department to file petitions to declare approximately 117 aspirants as nuisance candidates.

This group includes people seeking to enter national politics for the first time, those previously declared nuisance candidates in past elections, and some relatively well-known names, like Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy.”

Advincula is the hooded man from the viral “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video, which linked then President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade in 2019.

Meanwhile, detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy made it to the list under the Workers' and Peasants' Party (WPP), while nine other nominees failed the cut.

Aside from Quiboloy, WPP president Sonny Matula, a labor leader and lawyer, is also a shoo-in. He had said none of the party officials signed Quiboloy’s Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance, but another faction is claiming leadership. The Comelec then said Quiboloy could run as an independent candidate, yet its latest list still classified him as under the WPP.

Comelec earlier said it aims to resolve disqualification cases by Nov. 30 in time for the printing of ballots scheduled for December.