MANILA, Philippines—Old familiar faces, show biz personalities and the unexpected candidate or two trooped to Commission on Elections offices Tuesday, the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) for local posts in Metro Manila.

In Quezon City, former Mayor Ismael Mathay Jr. surprised onlookers when he appeared at the Comelec office in the city hall compound to submit his papers just before noon.

Before Tuesday, there had been no word that Mathay, who was succeeded by incumbent Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, would run for his old post which he held from 1992 to 2001.

“I believe that with my experience in the many responsibilities given me in government, I can, to the best of my ability, provide the service required,” Mathay, 77, told reporters through a statement.

He said that should he win, he would focus on unemployment, the drug abuse problem and providing quality education.

“I am coming back to continue public service and to help [people overcome] poverty. I am running as an independent so that people can choose whom they think should be elected,” Mathay added.

Rivals

Earlier in the day, Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista—whom Belmonte had chosen to succeed him—and his running mate, Joy Belmonte-Alimurung, submitted their CoCs for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

Alimurung is Belmonte’s daughter. She and Bautista are running under the Liberal Party (LP). They were joined by supporters who were clad in yellow T-shirts and Belmonte himself who is running for congressman in the second district, the post he held before he was elected mayor.

“We plan to continue the projects started by our Mayor Sonny Belmonte, especially the good ones which have benefited our residents, as well as introduce new programs,” Bautista said.

Alimurung, who is entering politics for the first time, said that she was “happy at the support that so many people are giving us and we get our strength from them. We hope to serve them well by knowing their needs well.”

She and Bautista will be up against the tandem of Rep. Annie Rosa Susano and Councilor Janet “Babes” Malaya.

Susano and Malaya, who are running for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, are being fielded by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Both arrived at the Comelec office in a horse-drawn carriage, surrounded by followers who wore red T-shirts.

“We will work for the transformation of Quezon City into a new city. All of the budget will be downgraded to the people for their benefit,” said Susano, who is a congresswoman of the city’s second district.

No business like show business

Five show biz personalities are also running for councilor under the NPC.

Comedian Roderick Paulate and starlet Glenda Garcia are both running in the second district; singer Arnell Ignacio (Arnaldo Ignacio in real life) in the first district while actor Ricky Davao (Frederick Charles Dabao) and actress Ma. Isabel Lopez are eyeing seats in the fourth district.

Meanwhile, Councilor Aiko Melendez-Jickain, another show biz personality, submitted her papers as the vice mayoral candidate of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

“I will come up with my own projects, particularly for those close to my heart like women and youth issues because I am a mother, too,” the actress, who was accompanied by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, said.

Melendez, however, did not say who her running mate would be.

Later on in the evening, it turned out to be former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor who said he was running under the People’s Reform Party.

With Defensor was his wife, Julie and father, Rep. Mathias Defensor.

Just like in Quezon City, a former Manila mayor is looking to reclaim his post.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza filed his CoC at the Comelec office at Arroceros, clad in his trademark flower shirt and accompanied by his running mate, Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia, and a group of supporters wearing red T-shirts.

With his entry into the political race, the LP will have two candidates for Manila’s top post.

Incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim, who is gunning for reelection, is the party’s other candidate.

Atienza said that his experience as Manila mayor would be to his advantage in the 2010 elections.

Ready for a comeback

“I am ready to return,” he told reporters.

In Makati City, Councilor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, incumbent Mayor Jejomar Binay’s son, said he was ready to take over his father’s post.

The 32-year-old Binay, who is serving his third and last term as councilor, was joined by his family when he filed his CoC before noon.

Beside him was his running mate, singer Rico J. Puno.

Speaking to his supporters, Junjun, who recently lost his wife, said he was proud of his father and his mother, Elenita, who also served as city mayor.

“I wish that I can become a carbon copy of my father because he did well here in the City of Makati,” he said as he added, “My father and my mother, they have both served this city, and they have served this city well. Now I would like to continue that service for the people of Makati.”

Some 300 Binay “loyalists” held a rally outside the Comelec office in Makati to show their support for the family which has ruled the city for more than 20 years.

They carried placards which bore messages like “Family Binay, subok na maaasahan” and “Kung ano ang puno ay siyang bunga” and chanted “Binay, Binay” when Junjun and the rest of his family arrived.

The younger Binay’s bid for the mayoral seat officially marked the split between his family and long-time political ally, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is seeking the same post.

Mercado is running with lawyer Chito Salud.

Mayor Binay earlier announced that he had chosen Mercado to be his successor. There were later reports, however, that the two had disagreed over their choice of candidates for certain posts.

Junjun said he was ready to take over his father’s post with his 16 years of experience as a public servant.

He added that he believed Makati residents were still supportive of his family because they were a “performing team.”

On allegations that the Binays merely wanted to retain their grip on Makati, Junjun said that he had always been willing to run for vice mayor in deference to Mercado.

Puno, a former three-term councilor, said he also knew that Mercado was Mayor Binay’s anointed one when the vice mayor suddenly decided to leave the group.

“In fairness to Junjun, he never aspired for the post. A lot of people have been pushing him to run for mayor but he said he didn’t want to disobey his father,” Puno said.

The singer earlier announced that he was running for a seat in Congress. But when Mayor Binay asked him to be his son’s running mate, Puno said he couldn’t say no.

Councilor Monique Lagdameo will be running in Puno’s stead. She will be pitted against Louie Locsin, wife of incumbent Rep. Teddyboy Locsin Jr., who has decided to side with Mercado.

Of the Locsins’ decision to join Mercado, Mayor Binay said, “I would be a hypocrite if I were to say that I’m happy about it.”

Aside from Junjun and Mercado, another familiar face, former Senator and Congressman Agapito “Butz” Aquino, is running for the city’s top post.

Comelec-Makati election officer, lawyer Sheila Rafanan, said the brother of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. filed his CoC as an independent candidate in the afternoon.

Aquino was with his daughter, Jackie, when he submitted his papers without much fanfare.

His candidacy came as a surprise since the Aquinos are known to be close to the Binays. It was former President Corazon Aquino who appointed the older Binay as mayor of Makati in 1986.

Meanwhile, the fight for Taguig City’s top post is between former Associate Justice Dante Tiñga and Rep. Lani Cayetano of the first district, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

The 70-year-old Tiñga is the father of incumbent Mayor Freddie Tiñga.

The younger Tiñga, who is serving his last term, is running for a congressional seat in the city’s second district.

Lani Cayetano, on the other hand, formalized her bid to run for mayor when she filed her CoC in the afternoon.

Before going to the Comelec, she attended a proclamation rally where she introduced her running mate, businessman Ferdinand Santos.

Lani’s brother-in-law, Renren Cayetano, a former city councilor, is vying to replace her in the first district.

In Malabon City, Mayor Canuto “Tito” Oreta will be seeking reelection with his nephew running beside him.

Oreta and Councilor Antolin Oreta III, the son of former Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta, filed their papers at the city’s Comelec office.

Should the mayor win, this will be his third and final term.

At 70 years old, Mayor Oreta said that he was still strong and capable of leading the city.

“I’ve been moving around the city as I have always done,” he said.

He added that he decided to run with his nephew after talks with his ally, incumbent Vice Mayor Arnold Vicencio, failed. Vicencio is now eyeing to represent the city in Congress.

His nephew, the mayor said, was capable and ready to serve as vice mayor.

The younger Oreta was elected as councilor in 2007 after garnering the biggest number of votes among the candidates.

The last day for the filing of CoCs in Muntinlupa City, meanwhile, took on a festive mood with fireworks and campaign jingles filling the air.

Mostly dressed in green T-shirts, thousands of Muntinlupa residents cheered as incumbent Mayor Aldrin San Pedro submitted his papers.

He was joined by his running mate, Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, senatorial bet Ruffy Biazon, and 16 candidates for councilors. With Beverly T. Natividad, Jeannette I. Andrade, Niña Catherine Calleja, Allison W. Lopez and Joseph Francisco