Day 1: 20 senatorial bets file COCs

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is done with the first day of accepting certificates of candidacy (COCs) from aspiring senatorial candidates, with the number of early applicants exceeding the agency’s expectations.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said on Monday, October 1, that they were expecting 50 senatorial aspirants to file their candidacy this week. Comelec will accept COCs from October 1 to 5.

But as of Monday, October 1, at least 20 candidates have already filed their COCs.

“We’re almost half and it’s only been one day. And there are 4 days left. It’s just that those who filed today are mostly those whom we expect to join the elections,” Jimenez said.

Among those who filed their candidacies today are those belonging to the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA):

• Former Sen Richard Gordon
• Former Sen Ernesto Maceda
• Former Sen Juan Miguel Zubiri
• Zambales Rep Mitos Magsaysay
• Cagayan Rep Jack Enrile
• Former Tarlac Gov Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco
• San Juan Rep JV Ejercito
• Sen Gregorio Honasan

Businessman Joey de Venecia, originally part of the UNA slate, announced he was withdrawing from the race.

Loren Legarda, a guest candidate of UNA, also filed on Monday at exactly 3:50 pm, which she claimed was upon the suggestion of her feng shui adviser.

Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who bolted UNA and joined the administration slate, was the very first to file his candidacy at 8 am.

The rest of those who filed their candidacies are what Jimenez described as “colorful” aspirants. They are:

• Oliver Lozano
• Juanito Donato
• Merlito Lagata
• Remelyn Ajel
• Anicio Escusuro
• Daniel Magtira
• Aeric Bernardino
• Melchor Chavez
• Salam Lakan Luisong Tagean
• Patrocinio Cailing

Lozano and Chavez also joined the 2007 senatorial elections under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party.

“I don’t know if there are any [other ‘colorful’ candidates] out there, since they always appear on the first day of filing,” Jimenez said.

In the 2010 elections, aspirants were given more time to file their candidacies — two weeks.

“There’s no intention to force them to file early. But it’s good, at least now they have time to think of more important things,” Jimenez said.

The official list of candidates, Jimenez added, will be released after December 21 to allow time for possible substitutions. – Rappler.com