Valenzuela City 2nd district Rep. Eric Martinez (Rep. Martinez's office)

Senatorial aspirant Valenzuela City 2nd district Rep. Eric Martinez admits he's not a big name in national politics, but his resumé is not easily matched. In fact, it's more accomplished than those of other Senate hopefuls in the 2025 polls. 

That was Martinez's compelling argument to Filipino after he made his Senate bid official. 

“A long resume of legislative work – 32 years. If you want a resume, that’s my resume. Compared to others, that’s a story like no other,” said the three-term congressman and former House deputy speaker. 

“Mahirap magpakilala sa buong Pilipinas with 70 million registered voters (It's hard to make an introduction to the entire Philippines with 70 million registered voters… [However] I would like to make it clear; I am a serious candidate running for the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines,” Martinez declared. 

He's fully aware that next year's Senate race is an uphill climb for someone like him. But then, in terms of his work experience, there may not be anyone like him. 

“It’s a crowded race I know... Sikat? Hindi ako sikat (Popular? I'm not popular), but then I have the resume. Iyon lang ang maipagmamalaki ko sa inyo (That's what I can show off to you), he said. 

Before serving his third consecutive term as Valenzuela City congressman, he served as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kagawad in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City from 1992 until 1996; a legislative position. 

From 1997 until present, Martinez was elected in various legislative positions such as Barnagay Kagawad (1997-2001), Valenzuela City 2nd district councilor (2001-2007), Valenzuela City vice mayor (2007-2016), and eventually as Valenzuela City 2nd district representative in 2016. 

"You compare my resume to other candidates; they don’t have the same resume as I have. Thirty-two years of legislative work that started 1992 and will end in 2025 as a three-term congressman,” Martinez said. 

During his second term in the House of Representatives in 2022, he was designated to the lofty position of deputy speaker. 

Martinez also once headed the House Committee on Youth and Sports. He is currently vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. 

“What I have now is the entire city of Valenzuela, that I will always be proud of. What I have now, hopefully, all SK kagawads of the 42,000 barangays as they could say that there is a senator they could represent 

"You have all the city councilors that could relate to me, all the vice mayors who could relate to me and of course all the 300 congressmen my comrade in lawmaking hopefully will back me up in this endeavor,” Martinez said. 

The senatorial aspirant also enjoys the full support of the Gatchalians, the undefeated political family of their city which includes incumbent Senator Win Gatchalian, and former mayor and congressman, now Secretary Rex Gatchalian of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

“We have a good relationship in the city of Valenzuela with the Gatchalians, it is better we keep united. We have been together in the last five elections, definitely I have their backing,” Martinez said.