MANILA, Philippines – What they lack in qualification and resource, they make up for in enthusiasm and grandiose plans.

Rigoberto Madera Jr., a 61-year-old who claims to be a retired “six-star general,” was the first person to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for president Friday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Madera said God had conducted survey in October and said he was in the top spot, way ahead of President Joseph Estrada.

After he wins the presidency, Madera said his next step is to become successor to US President Barack Obama and then secretary general of the United Nations.

He also wants to become “emperor” of the Philippines and deliver the country out of its economic rut.

And this is just the first day.

Already, at least 14 incredibly unlikely personalities said they will run for president in the May 2010 elections while three have expressed their intentions to run for senator.

Seeking the presidency is a physics instructor with a nickname that could only come from a comic book—AtomGilTrinity.

Then there’s Wendell Lope, a 34-year old taxi driver, who said if he becomes president, he would file damage claims against Spain and the United States for colonizing the Philippines. The money, he said, would be used to improve the Filipinos’ lot.

Lozano strikes again

Oliver Lozano, a loyalist of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, notorious for filing weak complaints against government officials, also filed his presidential bid.

If he wins, Lozano said he would use the sequestered Marcos millions to solve the problems of insurgency, hunger and poverty within six months of his term.

To give more time for the serious candidates to overcome their shyness, the Comelec has reset the deadline for the filing of CoCs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.

So far, those who have submitted their CoCs for president including a few who have filed for senatorial posts, lacked the criteria to be taken seriously by the Comelec and could be declared as nuisance candidates.

Overcoming the odds

They do not have the financial support and resources to launch a nationwide campaign and have no constituency to speak of. But for the aspirants, these matters are irrelevant. They believe they can overcome the odds.

For instance, businessman Vicente Fabella filed his CoC for president. Claiming to have many supporters, he believed that once his name is out there, people will vote for him.

Asked what he would do if the Comelec declares him a nuisance candidate, Fabella issued this warning: “If that happens, the earth will swallow the Philippines.”

Seriously now

Administration presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. accompanied reelectionist Albay Gov. Joey Salceda in filing his CoC at the Comelec office in Legazpi City.

Teodoro promised to support Salceda’s programs for the benefit of Albay residents.

Salceda, who is running under the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD, filed his CoC at 11 a.m. He was the first to file at the provincial Comelec office, according to lawyer Romeo Serrano, provincial election supervisor of Albay.

Also present in Salceda’s filing were Albay first district Rep. Edcel Lagman, some mayors and board members.

Pampanga candidates

In Pampanga, Luisito “Chito” Bacani, 68, was the first to file his CoC at the Comelec office at 9 a.m.

An independent, Bacani came alone and said he was running for representative in the first district (Mabalacat, Magalang and Angeles City). He wore a white shirt with stickers announcing his anticorruption platform.

In contrast, his opponent, Ares Yabut, 38, was followed by about 50 supporters when he filed his CoC.

A Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) candidate, his nomination was signed by Angeles City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno. Some of his supporters are said to be allies of Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid who, during Thursday’s national convention of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, was announced as part of the administration party’s senatorial slate.

Bernie Cruz, Lapid’s spokesperson, declined to confirm if Lapid had backed out of the gubernatorial race in Pampanga.

Ricardo Ocampo Sr., 73, an agriculturist, filed his CoC and is running for Pampanga governor. An independent, he ran and lost as mayor of Mexico in 2007.

Baguio City hopefuls

In Baguio City, the first five candidates to file their CoCs will run as independents.

Among them is 74-year-old Felipe Ramos, who is gunning for the city’s lone congressional seat, said lawyer Elenita Tabangin, election officer for Baguio City and Benguet.

Tabangin said Ramos once aspired to run for president, but he was declared a nuisance candidate.

Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. was the first politician to file his CoC as Baguio representative. He ran for mayor in 2007 under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

Councilor Nicasio Aliping and Rabindranath Quilala also filed their CoCs for the same post.

Erlinda Lazo, 63, filed her CoC for Baguio mayor.

True colors

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said many would file their CoCs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1 as independents “so they do not reveal their political colors... Then they would declare their political parties. A provision in the election law grants candidates 15 days from filing their certificates of candidacy to change parties.”

In Pangasinan, provincial election supervisor Reddy Balabar said only two candidates filed their CoCs on Friday. They were Burgos Mayor Domingo Doctor, who is running for representative of the first district and Abraham de Asis, a barangay captain, who is running for board member in the fourth district.

Doctor said he filed his CoC on the first day so voters would know he was serious about his political bid.

Lucky No. 8

Balabar said candidates usually file their CoCs on the last day, “even at the last hour.”

“We also expect most candidates to file on Nov. 28 because the No. 8 is considered lucky,” he said.

In Isabela, no one showed up to file their CoCs at the provincial Comelec office.

“They usually come in droves on the last day of filing. But we are always ready to receive CoCs,” said provincial election assistant Marites Salvador.