Re-electionist senators, including those leading in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) senatorial surveys, were among those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila on the third day of filing.
Here is a quick list of senatorial aspirants who officially joined the senatorial race in the 2019 polls by filing their COCs at the Comelec on Monday:
Cynthia Villar with her family at Comelec. CATHRINE GONZALES, INQUIRER.net
Senator Cynthia Villar
Cynthia Villar is seeking a second term as senator under the banner of the Nacionalista Party, founded by her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar.
As chair of the Senate committees on agriculture and food, and on agrarian reform, Senator Villar promised to push for more programs on agriculture and livelihood if reelected.
Villar was accompanied by her husband and their daughter Camille when she filed her COC at the Comelec. Her supporters, who were carrying tarpaulins of her photos and wore orange shirts, also showed their support for the senator.
READ: Cynthia Villar files COC, wants Senate reelection in 2019
Senator Grace Poe at Comelec. Christia Ramos, INQUIRER.net
Senator Grace Poe
Reelectionist Grace Poe decided to seek another Senate seat as she filed her COC.
Poe, who has been a consistent frontrunner in various pe-election surveys, said she wants to “offer” herself again to the public by seeking another term in the Senate.
“Inaalay ko muli ang aking sarili. Kung ako ay pagkakatiwalaan muli, ito ay isang karangalan at pribilehiyo (I am offering myself again. If they put their trust in me for the second time, it will be an honor and privilege),” she said
The senator said she will push for the passage of the rice tarrification bill, which seeks to lift restrictions or quota on rice importations, if reelected.
Poe will run as independent in the 2019 elections. /je
READ: Grace Poe files COC, seeks Senate reelection
Zajid Mangudadatu INQUIRER.net
Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu
Zajid Mangudadatu officially joined the senatorial race in the 2019 elections.
He will be running under the banner of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which is being chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Zajid Mangudadatu files COC for senator in 2019 polls
Rep. Gary Alejano INQUIRER.net
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano
Gary Alejano also made his senatorial bid official as he filed his COC at Comelec.
Alejano was accompanied by his partymate, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV at the election headquarters. He was also joined by his supporters who wore white and red and carried flags bearing the Magdalo logo.
In April, Trillanes announced that the Magdalo group would push for Alejano’s senatorial bid next year. /je
READ: Alejano files COC at Comelec