Comelec reports 'record' number of Senate aspirants for 2025 polls | ABS-CBN
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Comelec reports 'record' number of Senate aspirants for 2025 polls
Comelec reports 'record' number of Senate aspirants for 2025 polls
Supporters gather outside the Manila Hotel on the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy for senators and certificates of nomination of acceptance for partylists on October 1, 2024. The filing for aspiring officials in both local and national posts are open until October 8. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Supporters gather outside the Manila Hotel on the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy for senators and certificates of nomination of acceptance for partylists on October 1, 2024. The filing for aspiring officials in both local and national posts are open until October 8. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it received a "record" number of candidacy forms of senatorial aspirants during its eight-day filing period for the 2025 midterm polls.
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it received a "record" number of candidacy forms of senatorial aspirants during its eight-day filing period for the 2025 midterm polls.
A total of 183 individuals filed certificates of candidacy (COC) for senator from Oct. 1 to 8, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
A total of 183 individuals filed certificates of candidacy (COC) for senator from Oct. 1 to 8, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
The number is from 176 for the 2022 national elections and from the 153 senatorial aspirants who filed their COCs for the 2019 polls.
The number is from 176 for the 2022 national elections and from the 153 senatorial aspirants who filed their COCs for the 2019 polls.
The increase can be attributed to more Filipinos genuinely wanting to serve the country, Garcia said.
The increase can be attributed to more Filipinos genuinely wanting to serve the country, Garcia said.
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“Madami rin kasing returning na dating senador sa kasalukuyan, at madami ring incumbent na reelectionist... Dumadami rin kasi ang mga political parties, at ang mga political parties na national ay gustong magkaroon ng mga kandidato para sa senador,” Garcia said.
“Madami rin kasing returning na dating senador sa kasalukuyan, at madami ring incumbent na reelectionist... Dumadami rin kasi ang mga political parties, at ang mga political parties na national ay gustong magkaroon ng mga kandidato para sa senador,” Garcia said.
(There are many who want to return toi the Senate, and there are many incumbents who are reelectionists. And the number of political parties is growing, and these parties want to field a candidate for senator)
(There are many who want to return toi the Senate, and there are many incumbents who are reelectionists. And the number of political parties is growing, and these parties want to field a candidate for senator)
Garcia also reported that 190 party-list groups applied to join the 2025 race, even if they only accredited 160.
Garcia also reported that 190 party-list groups applied to join the 2025 race, even if they only accredited 160.
He said that some of the 190 had already been denied accreditation or had had their motions for reconsideration dismissed but still filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
He said that some of the 190 had already been denied accreditation or had had their motions for reconsideration dismissed but still filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
“Pero hindi nangangahulugan na porke nakapag-file na yung iba... ay papayagan na silang makasama sa listahan. Hindi po, dahil wala silang accreditation,” he explained.
“Pero hindi nangangahulugan na porke nakapag-file na yung iba... ay papayagan na silang makasama sa listahan. Hindi po, dahil wala silang accreditation,” he explained.
(But just because they were allowed to file does not mean they will be included in the list. They will not be because they are not accredited)
(But just because they were allowed to file does not mean they will be included in the list. They will not be because they are not accredited)
As for the 160 accredited party-lists, only 155 pushed through with their CONA filing.
As for the 160 accredited party-lists, only 155 pushed through with their CONA filing.
Garcia assessed the filing period this year as “unique” because of the orderliness of the entire exercise.
Garcia assessed the filing period this year as “unique” because of the orderliness of the entire exercise.
For next year’s polls, the Comelec, recorded a total of 43,033 filers nationwide for national and local posts.
For next year’s polls, the Comelec, recorded a total of 43,033 filers nationwide for national and local posts.
This was lower compared to the 2022 polls with over 47,000 filers.
This was lower compared to the 2022 polls with over 47,000 filers.
'GENERALLY PEACEFUL'
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said the eight-day filing of COCs had been generally peaceful, despite violence that occurred in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao del Sur province.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said the eight-day filing of COCs had been generally peaceful, despite violence that occurred in Shariff Aguak town, Maguindanao del Sur province.
In a media briefing, Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the incident cannot be considered election-related since it occurred outside the election period, which begins on January 12, 2024.
In a media briefing, Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the incident cannot be considered election-related since it occurred outside the election period, which begins on January 12, 2024.
It is also unclear whether politicians were involved in the clash between supporters.
It is also unclear whether politicians were involved in the clash between supporters.
“Pangkalahatan ay naging mapayapa, maayos at ligtas naman po ‘yong pagpa-file po ng COCs nationwide po,” the PNP spokesperson said.
“Pangkalahatan ay naging mapayapa, maayos at ligtas naman po ‘yong pagpa-file po ng COCs nationwide po,” the PNP spokesperson said.
(Overall, it was peaceful, orderly and safe)
(Overall, it was peaceful, orderly and safe)
A village watchman was killed and five other rival political supporters were injured during an exchange of gunfire just outside the Shariff Aguak municipal compound on Tuesday afternoon, the final day for COC filing.
A village watchman was killed and five other rival political supporters were injured during an exchange of gunfire just outside the Shariff Aguak municipal compound on Tuesday afternoon, the final day for COC filing.
Fajardo said the incident will be considered in determining whether the municipality will be included in the election areas of concern.
Fajardo said the incident will be considered in determining whether the municipality will be included in the election areas of concern.
“We really cannot discount the possibility na ito ay politically-motivated or at least influenced by the current election activities po,” Fajardo said.
“We really cannot discount the possibility na ito ay politically-motivated or at least influenced by the current election activities po,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo said the investigation is still ongoing, and lapses by authorities will also be looked into, as rival aspirants should not come together in the filing
Fajardo said the investigation is still ongoing, and lapses by authorities will also be looked into, as rival aspirants should not come together in the filing
Police Gen. Rommel Marbil, chief of the PNP, has ordered increased security in areas with intense political rivalries, Fajardo said.
Police Gen. Rommel Marbil, chief of the PNP, has ordered increased security in areas with intense political rivalries, Fajardo said.
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Read More:
PNP
Shariff Aguak
Maguindanao del Sur
2025 mid-term elections
Halalan 2025
Camp Crame
Comelec
Commission on Elections
COC
certificate of candidacy
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