Comelec releases tentative list of candidates for May 2022 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, Oct. 29, released the tentative list of candidates for the national and local elections next year.

"The tentative list of candidates for the 2022 National and Local Elections is up on http://comelec.gov.ph. All aspirants are advised to check that their name is on the list and is spelled correctly," said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez on his official Twitter account.

"You have a limited window within which to submit your requests for corrections," he added.

The tentative list of candidates for national positions contained 97 presidential aspirants, 28 vice presidential aspirants, and 174 senatorial aspirants.

Among the well-known presidential aspirants included in the list are: Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (PDP-Laban), Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domogoso (Aksyon Demokratiko), former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales (Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas), labor leader Leody de Guzman (Partido Lakas ng Masa), Senator Panfilo Lacson (Partido sa Demokratikong Reporma), former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), Senator Manny Pacquiao (Promdi), and Vice President Leni Robredo (Independent).

For the list of vice-presidential aspirants, it includes Rep. Lito Atienza (Promdi), former congressman Walden Bello (Partido Lakas ng Masa), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (PDP-Laban), Dr Willie Ong (Aksyon Demokratiko), Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (Liberal Party), and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto (Nationalist People's Coalition).

Prominent names included in the senatorial aspirants include: former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Baustista (Nationalist People’s Coalition), Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Greco Belgica, former Vice President Jejomar Binay (UNA), Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares, Senator Leila De Lima (Liberal Party), former taekwondo champion Monsour del Rosario, Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Former senator JV Ejercito, and Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

Also included in the list of senatorial aspirants are former senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Win Gatchalian, Senator RichardGordon, former senator Gringo Honasan, Senator Risa Hontiveros, labor leader Elmer Labog, broadcaster Rey Langit, former senator Loren Legarda, labor leader Sonny Matula, doctors Leo Olarte and Minguita Padilla, actor Robin Padilla, former presidential legal counsel Salvador “Sal” Panelo, former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, former senator Antonio Trillanes, broadcaster Raffy Tulfo, Senator Joel Villanueva, former public works secretary Mark Villar, and Senator Miguel Zubiri.

The Comelec also released the tentative list of candidates for local positions and candidates for House of Representatives.

"Please be informed that the Tentative List Aspirants/Candidates for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections are based on the initial evaluation of the Certificates of Nomination, Certificates of Candidacy and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance," the Comelec said in its website.

"Consequently, the contents of the list, particularly the names of the aspirants/candidates, political parties, as well as the name to appear on the ballot are subject to change as a result of any further evaluation and/or resolution of the Commission En Banc in relation thereto," it added.

On Oct. 17, Jimenez said the Comelec is expected to release the official list of candidates for next year's general elections by December.