Chavit Singson drops out of 2025 senatorial race due to health

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson has announced his withdrawal from the 2025 senatorial race, citing health reasons, on Sunday, Jan. 12, the first day of the election period.

Singson said he “escaped” hospital admission to directly speak to supporters. According to him, he was treated for pneumonia and health professionals advised him to have a “long rest.”

“Matapos ang mahabang pag-iisip, ang desisyon ko po ay hindi na muna ako tutuloy sa aking kandidatura sa Senado,” the 83-year-old long-time politician said in a speech during his event at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. It was also livestreamed on his social media Sunday evening. 

“Hindi po biro ang pagkampanya, lalo na ang trabaho ng isang senador, kung talagang magtatrabaho. At ayaw kong ipilit kung ang aking kalusugan ang maaaring magdusa,” he added.

[Translation: After deep thought, I have decided not to continue my senatorial candidacy. Campaigning is not easy work, especially the job of a senator, if I were really to work as that. I don’t want to force myself into being a senator if my health would suffer.]

In his speech, he thanked supporters and mentioned what he described as a “big jump” in recent surveys, sounding sure he would enter the “Magic 12” if he were to continue his campaign.

“Kung sakali po matuloy ang withdrawal, di na po namin matanggal name niya sa balota,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia told reporters in a message on Monday.

“At kung sakali makakuha ng boto, i-declare stray lahat ng nakuhang boto,” he said.

[Translation: If the withdrawal pushes through, we cannot remove his name on the ballot. If the name gets votes, those would be declared stray.]

Garcia said that Singson must withdraw personally before the Comelec and not through a lawyer.

The poll body has started the printing of ballots, with Singson having the number 58 on the official template.

Singson, a former deputy national security adviser during the Arroyo administration, was the first among the final list of 66 senatorial candidates to drop out of the May 12 midterm elections.

During the filing of candidacy papers in October 2024, Singson said he would push for vehicle modernization. His business interests included tobacco and automobiles.