COC Day 5: Familiar names, returning politicians, and first-time hopefuls

Metro Manila, Philippines – Over 20 party-list organizations and a dozen senatorial aspirants - composed of a veteran broadcaster, sector leaders, and familiar returnees formalized their election bid on the fifth day of filing of the Certificate of Candidacies and Nomination on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Survey frontrunner and veteran broadcaster Ben Tulfo was among the personalities who filed his COC for Senator, saying he is running as an independent candidate.

Ben is the brother of sitting Senator Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who is part of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” (Alliance for a New Philippines) - the administration’s Senate slate.

Despite the chance of having three Tulfos in the upper chamber, Tulfo shrugged off criticisms about them seemingly making the Senate a political affair.

“As to the question of dynasty, we're (a) dynasty of helping people,” he said.

“We lorded over helping people and sabay-sabay kaming magkakapatid (we did that as brothers). So it’s not a dynasty. No, it’s not. We don’t have any district, maybe (at) the executive level, you can think that…because you have a district. But running for Senate is a national office. You cannot have (a) dynasty,” Tulfo added.

READ: Ben Tulfo files COC for Senator

Returning figures

The fifth day of COC filing also saw familiar political figures and organizations, attempting a comeback and reelection.

Former Senator Leila de Lima formalized her congressional bid as the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list. She was joined by fellow nominees - former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat and ex-deputy House speaker Erin Tañada.

De Lima, who was cleared of all drug charges in June, said she wants to rebuild her life by securing a fresh mandate.

“Siniraan ako e. I wanted to do more when I was elected as senator…Hindi ko naganap ng lubus-lubusan iyong mandato ko. This time around, I want to have a chance to be fully able to restart the mandate that will be given if and when palarin kami,” she said.

[Translation: I was attacked. I wanted to do more when I was elected as senator… I wasn’t able to fully fulfill my mandate. This time around, I want a chance to completely restart the mandate that will be given if and when we win]

READ: ​De Lima files CONA, admits better chances in House than Senate​​​​​​

A number of party-list groups also declared their bids for reelection. Among them are Kabataan party-list, Construction Workers Solidarity, Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP), and, 1-Pacman.

Meanwhile, labor leader Sonny Matula is trying his luck in the Senate race for the third time. He ran and lost twice during the 2019 and 2022 elections.

“Ang laban ng mga manggagawa ay hindi natatapos sa iisang engkwentro. Sinusubukan ulit natin na tumakbo ulit para ipanalo ang mga manggagawa,” he said when asked about why he is joining the race again.

[Translation: The fight of labor workers does not stop with just one race. We are running again for our labor sector to win]

First timers, independent hopefuls

While other aspirants are backed by huge political organizations, some ordinary citizens are taking on the congressional race - all by themselves.

Among them is Warlito Bovier, a construction worker and driver - the first to file a COC on the fifth day.

“Kung papalarin po ako bilang Senador, ang kauna-unahan ko pong adbokasiya e mataasan ang sahod ng mga construction worker na matagal na pong hindi naasikaso ng mga nakaupo,” said Bovier.

[Translation: Should I win as Senator, the first thing I would do is to increase wages of construction workers that hasn’t been done by those in power]

One of the stars of Saturday’s certificate filing is Rolando Plaza - also known as “Rastaman,” who set the internet abuzz during the previous polls.

Plaza was declared a nuisance candidate in the 2019 elections where he first declared his bid for Senator.

Meanwhile, an industry leader is also trying to make his way to Congress.

George Royeca, chief executive officer of ride-hailing app Angkas, filed his CONA for “Angkasangga party-list”, seeking measures that would benefit informal workers.

READ: Angkas CEO, transport advocates try their way to Congress

The Commission on Elections said it is expecting more candidates in the last days of filing.

As of Oct. 5, the poll body listed 70 senatorial aspirants and 73 party-list groups formalizing their election bids.