Rappler takes note of advertisements that politicians are putting out ahead of the filing of certificates of candidacies and the official campaign period. This is the first of what will be our regular round-up of materials meant to promote personalities that are either testing the waters or are known to have definite political plans for 2016.

Here are what we’ve spotted in the last two weeks.

***

Mark Villar 

There are talks Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar is eyeing a Senate seat in 2016. The congressman released an advertisement that has a similar feel and messaging to that of his father, former Senate President Manuel Villar’s campaign in 2010.

Asked if the TV ad entitled “Ang pagtulong sa mahirap, Markang Villar!” is a sign her son is running for the Senate, Senator Cynthia Villar said: “Not sure. We’re just doing a commercial for him, in case, but nothing definite.”

She added the ad was done to “test the waters” and to check if her son is indeed “well-known.” The young Villar also has a sponsored Facebook page.

The senator admitted they are still awaiting the results of the next survey. The young congressman still has another term in the House of Representatives.

*** 

Martin Romualdez 

Leyte 1^st District Representative Martin Romualdez aired a national TV advertisement, highlighting his supposed efforts during the onslaught of Yolanda.

Romualdez is the nephew of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and cousin of incumbent Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, who himself is said to be gunning for a higher post in 2016.

Romualdez earlier said he has plans to run for the Senate but “needs to go around more.” After all, he is a local official eyeing a national post. In the June Pulse Asia survey, he got a 5.8% rating.

***

Sherwin Gatchalian

Valenzuela City 1^st District Representative Sherwin Gatchalian now has an advertisement aimed at introducing him to a national audience. The advertisement – titled “Do you know Win Gatchalian?“ – centered on education, an apparent focus of his future campaign.

Gatchalian, who also served as city mayor from 2004 to 2013, is open about his planned senatorial bid. In June, he announced his candidacy in an event in Tayabas in Quezon province.

Gatchalian, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, was earlier identified as part of the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance.

He, however, was absent at UNA’s grand launch on July 1. The NPC is reportedly backing the tandem of senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Gatchalian now has his own website, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube accounts managed by his own campaign team.

*** 

Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr 

Although he has yet to declare his candidacy in 2016, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr tickled the minds of many when he released an advertisement on national television.

He first aired a TV ad on the controversial proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, deliberations on which he spearheads in the Senate.

Now, Marcos has released another ad, titled “Ilabas ang galing ng Pilipino…tumayo tayo!” It has a catchy tune using his nickname.

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos earlier said she wants her son to run for president but the senator remains mum on his political plans to date.

Talks are rife he might be the running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay, a human rights lawyer during the Martial Law regime of his father, President Ferdinand Marcos.

*** 

Grace Poe

Senator Grace Poe has played coy about her 2016 plans, but observers said the advertisement she released to commemorate the life of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr, was political in nature.

The ad on Monday, August 17, was aired on programs, such as the local noontime show Eat Bulaga, which has a huge mass following.

In the advertisement, Poe recalled the lessons she learned from her father.

“May puso siya para sa lahat, lalo na sa mahirap at naaapi. Walang halaga ang talino at karanasan kung wala kang puso at katapatan.”

(He has the heart for everyone, especially to the poor and persecuted. One’s intelligence and experience amount to nothing when he does not have the heart and honesty.)

Critics have hit the neophyte senator for her inexperience in government service.

Asked if the advertisement is a sign that she is running for a higher post in 2016, the survey front runner said the ad’s intention was to “remember and celebrate” the life of FPJ. After all, she said she would not enjoy the trust of the public if not for her father. 

FPJ ran for president in 2004 and finished second. It was widely believed he lost because systematic fraud was carried out by operators for then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. – Rappler.com