Among the people filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) for national positions on Friday, October 1, was Phil delos Reyes, a security guard who intends to seek a Senate seat. 

Delos Reyes arrived at Sofitel Manila’s tent in his uniform and took to the stage to speak to members of the media about his platform for the coming election, which included plans to continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s work against drugs, poverty, the New People’s Army, corruption, and criminality.

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“Ako’y nandirito ngayon sa harapan ninyo upang ipaalam na ako’y tatakbo bilang isang senador. Senador na kung saan ang lahat ng problema ng bansa ay ating sosolusyonan, ay ating gawan ng batas, at ito’y maiproseso agad sa presidente para maipa-implement at makinabang ang lahat at ang bawat Pilipino.”

(I’m before you today to let you know that I am running for senator. A senator who will find solutions to all of the country’s problems and create laws for them, and these will be processed immediately for the president to have them implemented for the benefit of all and for each Filipino.)

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LIVE UPDATES: Filing of certificates of candidacy for 2022 PH elections – October 1 to 8, 2021

He also said he wants to focus on improving the quality of life of Filipinos through, among other things, better reintegration programs for persons deprived of liberty, universal housing, education for impoverished children, discounts on electricity, water, and internet services, and raising walls near rivers to prevent floods. 

Delos Reyes, who spoke after a vice presidential aspirant who spewed vaccine misinformation, surprised the media and those who were watching the COC filing livestream. 

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Netizens expressed their surprise online over Delos Reyes as well. “Mas may alam pa siya sa mga pangkaraniwang problema na danas ng mamamayang Pilipino kumpara sa ibang politiko diyan and what do we see sa replies about him? Trash,” said a Twitter user. (He knows more about the everyday problems that Filipinos experience than other politicians, but what do we see in replies about him? Trash.)

Mas may alam pa siya sa mga pangkaraniwang problema na danas ng mamamayang Pilipino kumpara sa ibang politiko dyan and what do we see sa replies about him? Trash.

— Jasper The Edger (@yeahitsjasper) October 1, 2021

Others offered to raise funds for him and asked the Commission on Elections not to dismiss him as a nuisance candidate.

si AOC bartender at waitress before tumakbo ng congress, ngayon ang dami na niyang nabago at binabangga. Shes one of the most influential and powerful sa house. Kaya id vote Mr. Phil Delos Reyes over Revilla, Bato, Estrada etc.. 💪

— aiv #bettercontacttracing #freemasstesting (@araiggia) October 1, 2021

Other netizens compared him to public officials currently in office, while those who commented on Rappler’s Facebook post about him expressed their support for him.

Seventy-seven national positions will be up for grabs in the 2022 Philippine elections, which will take place on May 9, 2022. COC filing will take place from October 1 to October 8 from 8 am to 5pm, including weekends. – Rappler.com