Two trusted allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go on Thursday filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCS) in their bid for reelection in the May 2025 national and local elections.
Doctor Wilie Ong, who lost his vice presidential bid in the 2022 national elections formalized his 2025 Senate bid on Thursday after his wife Liza Ong filed his COC before the Comelec.
Dela Rosa vowed to serve the people amid investigations against him for his part in the illegal drug war during the Duterte administration.
Go is formally seeking reelection as well, expressing confidence that the people continue to trust him.
In Manila, reelectionists Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto filed their COCs on Thursday at the Comelec office in Manila.
Lacuna-Pangan will run with four incumbent congressmen in Manila – Rolan Valeriano (Second District), Joel Chua (Third District); Irwin Tieng (Fifth District), and Bienvenido Abante (Sixth District).
Actor Philip Salvador, also an ally of Duterte is seeking a Senate seat. In his speech, the 71-year-old screen icon presents himself as a public servant who plans to strengthen efforts for peace and order.
In Bulacan, Governor Daniel Fernando is seeking a third term Fernando and Vice Governor Alex Castro filed their certificates of candidacy this week for reelection at the Hiyas Convention Center in Malolos.
He said his main focus is addressing Bulacan’s long-standing flooding issues, exacerbated by recent heavy rains and typhoons.
Fernando also mentioned the approval of the Mega Dike Project, which aims to benefit neighboring regions. He indicated support for the Senatorial candidates endorsed by the Marcos administration as part of a coalition effort. Cherrie Anne Villahermosa, Rex Espiritu, Rolando Ng
