First day of COC filing (Comelec)

Amid the slow trickling of poll aspirants, the first day of certificate of candidacy (COC) filing for the 2025 mid-term elections was a peaceful scene overall, the top official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that based on their monitoring across the country, the COC filing has been running smoothly although the number of filers was low.

"Kahit sa monitoring natin sa National Capital Region (NCR), sa ibang parte ng bansa, maayos ang nagiging filing ng COC. Medyo matumal dahil unang araw, nagbabantayan yung mga magkakalaban, at the same time, yung iba naman pagpapabukas na lang siguro or kalagitnaan ng filing (Even in our monitoring in NCR, in other parts of the country, the filing of COC is going well. It's a bit slow because it's the first day, opponents are watching each other's moves, and at the same time, others might be planning to file tomorrow or halfway through filing process)," he said in a chance interview.

"So far, napakaayos kasi kahit paano yung mga supporters, lalo dito sa atin sa labas ng Manila Hotel, pinapanatili naman nila kaayusan ng kanilang linya nila at the same time, wala naman magugulo or nagkakainitan (So far, it's very good because even though the supporters, especially here outside the Manila Hotel, they're maintaining the order of their lines and at the same time, there's no chaos or tension)," he added.

Mix of new, old faces seek Senate seat

First to file for a Senate bid was David Chan, who claimed that he submitted 500-plus pages of proposal for the agricultural sector.

Another senatorial aspirant, Alexander Encarnacion, believes that third time's a charm as he looks forward to securing a seat in the upper chamber in his third try. He said he can fully eradicating crime and corruption through "Laserco Superfortress"-- a system that he said he discovered.

Joey Montemayor, who ran for president back in 2022, expressed his belief that he has better chances to win now that he's running for senator.

Individuals named Janice Padilla, Felipe Montealto, Joseph Dee, Najar Salih, and Happy Lubarbio also expressed their desire to make changes in the government via election as senator.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino arrived just before 12 noon to file his COC for reelection to the upper chamber under his new party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

Should he win, Tolentino said he would try to harness the gains of the current administration when it comes to economic recovery, as well as give focus to foreign relations and defense matters.

"So more of continuing what I've been doing right now," he added.

Daniel Magtira, a perennial election aspirant who claimed in 2021 that he's the husband of Kris Aquino, said that he'd marry presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos if he wins. 

The lady senator is separated from her husband, Tommy Manotoc.

Familiar faces seek House seat

Among the familiar faces eyeing a seat in the House of Representatives were Ron Salo for Kabayan Party-list, Astra Pimentel for Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas, and lawyer David Castillon of AKO-OFW Party-list.

Lito Atienza was also present as the first nominee of Buhay Party-list. Atienza believes that he has a good chance of winning since he garnered a million votes when he ran for vice president in 2022.

Also filing COCs were Maria Criselda Sebastian for Manila Teachers' Party-list, Norris John Okamoto for Lingap Party-list, Nicanor Briones for the AGAP Party-list, and a representative filed for Akay ni Sol Party-list.

Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares led the group's filing of their COC in a bid to return to the House of Representatives in 2025. Accompanying him were former Bayan Muna congressmen  Carlos Isagani Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite. 

Start of election season

Comelec had stated in Resolution No. 10999 that the election period would officially begin on Jan. 12 and end on June 11, 2025.

During this period, a gun ban shall be imposed nationwide. A total of 90 days (Feb. 11 to May 10, 2025) will be allotted for the campaign period of national candidates, which includes senators and party-lists.

On the other hand, the local campaign will run for 45 days, or from March 28 to May 10 next year.

Overseas Filipinos will vote from April 13 to May 12, while the local absentee voting will be conducted from April 28 to 30.

The filing of COCs will take place through Oct. 8 along with the filing of Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination (CON-CAN).

COCs for substitution due to the withdrawal of the original aspirant can only be made until Oct. 8. In his or her Statement of Withdrawal, the original aspirant must include the name of the substitute. In this case, the name of the substitute will appear on the ballot.

Substitution due to death or disqualification can be made up to the mid-day of May 12, 2025.

After Nov. 15, 2024, the substitute may file a COC and CONA, provided, that the substitute shares the same surname as the original aspirant.

The mid-term election is set for May 12, 2025.