Incumbent Parañaque 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez and candidates from the Bagong Paranaque political party filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 midterm elections on Monday, October 7.
The lawmaker switched places with his younger brother and incumbent Mayor Eric Olivarez who was elected during the 2022 national elections. Eric is reportedly running unopposed as the first district representative.
The brothers were joined by incumbent Parañaque District II Rep. Gustavo Tambunting, who also filed his COC seeking for reelection next year.
Edwin’s running mate is incumbent Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte.
After a mass at the San Antonio de Padua Church, they all trooped to the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Paranaque Office located at the city hall to submit their COCs.
In his short message after the filing of his COC, Edwin said that their family had “made a bold decision and agreed that Mayor Eric succeed me as District I congressman because we know his ability lawmaker and that he is an indisputable legislator and policy maker.”
Edwin thanked the people of Parañaque for the trust and confidence they have rendered to his administration as city mayor from 2013 to 2022.
“Again, let’s work together to further improve and developthe city," he said.
Running for councilors in District I under are actress Abby Viduya, also known as Priscilla Almeda, who will replace his actor-husband Jomari Yllana, who served as city councilor for three terms.
Olivarez’s eldest son, Paolo Olivarez, the first district number one councilor during the 2022 synchronized elections, is also seeking reelection.
Yeoj Marquez, the second child of comedian-actor and former Paranaque Mayor Joey Marquez and actress Alma Moreno, is also included in the slate of Olivarez-Villafuerte as 1st District councilor.
Incumbent 1st District Councilor Allen Ford Tan will be a contender again under Olivarez' ticket. Tan is the singer's husband named “Sentimental Diva” Roselle Nava.
First district councilors under Olivarez’s ticket include reelectionist Daniel Eric Baes, Rina Gabriel, and Guada Golez, daughter of former 2nd District Rep. Roilo bGolez.
In the city’s District 2, the candidates for councilors are lawyers Jerome Bart Frias, Rico Golez, Florencia Amurao, Maria Kristine Esplana, and Rafael Lito de la Pena.
Returning councilor Wahoo Sotto will replace his wife-councilor, Nina Celine. Wahoo is the son of former city councilor Val Sotto and brother of former Sen. Tito Sotto.
On the other hand, Sheila Benzon replaced her husband-councilor Edwin Benzon to complete the slate under Team Bagong Paranaque.