(Updated) Many showbiz personalities have already filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.
Here is a list of celebrity candidates who officially joined the 2019 polls by filing their COCs in their respective Comelec offices:
Jinggoy Estrada
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada was accompanied by his father and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada when he filed his COC on Tuesday for the senatorial race next year.
Estrada, who is facing plunder and graft charges because of the priority development assistance fund scam, will run under the banner of Mayor Erap’s party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
Lito Lapid
Action star Lito Lapid is eyeing a comeback in the senate after filing his COC for next year’s election on Monday (October 15).
He was accompanied by son Mark when he filed his COC before the Comelec headquarters.
Charee Pineda
Filipino-American actress Charee Pineda seeks re-election for the third time as she filed her COC as Valenzuela City councilor on Monday.
She first assumed office in 2013 and was re-elected in 2016.
Gary Estrada
Actor Gary Estrada filed his COC on Monday and is seeking to run as vice mayor of Cainta. His running mate is incumbent Cainta Vice Mayor Pia Velasco who is seeking the town’s mayoral post.
Jolo Revilla
Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla filed his COC before the Trece Martire Comelec office on Monday.
Revilla is running once again as vice governor of Cavite for his last term with running mate Governor Jonvic Remulla who is also seeking re-election for Cavite’s gubernatorial post.
Long Mejia
Comedian Long Mejia filed his COC as Camarines Sur 1st District Representative on Monday. He was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth.
Ciara Sotto
Actress Ciara Sotto, daughter of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, is Luntiang Pilipinas party-list’s second nominee, said Harry Roque on Monday.
Lani Mercado
Actress Lani Mercado is seeking a second term as mayor of Bacoor City, Cavite after filing her COC last Friday (Oct. 12).
Isko Moreno
Isko Moreno is seeking to return to Manila’s political arena after taking a three-year hiatus from politics.
He filed his COC on Friday for Manila City’s mayoral post with running mate incumbent Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who is seeking reelection.
They are running under the banner of “Asenso Manileno.”
Roderick Paulate
Incumbent Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate filed his COC for Vice Mayor last Thursday (Oct. 11) the first day of filing.
He will run under the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) party with mayoralty candidate Ismael “Chuck” Mathay III.
Paulate is facing graft and falsification charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly hiring ghost employees in 2010.
Gian Sotto
Gian Sotto, son of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, filed his COC as Quezon City Vice Mayor also last Thursday.
He is the incumbent third district councilor of Quezon City and will run with incumbent Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte as mayoralty candidate.
Richard Gomez
Actor and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez is also seeking reelection in the upcoming 2019 polls.
He filed his COC with running mate Vice Mayor Leo Carmleo Locsin Jr. last week Thursday. He was also accompanied by wife and Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.
Vilma Santos-Recto
Lipa City Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto filed her COC for a second term on Thursday. She was accompanied by husband Ralph Recto.
The “Star for All Seasons” first served as provincial governor and Lipa City mayor before joining Congress.
Jaycee Parker
Former Viva Hot Babes Jaycee Parker-Aguas filed her COC as Councilor of Angeles, Pampanga, also on Thursday.
She was accompanied by husband and incumbent Councilor Jericho Aguas who will run as party-list representative of ABE-Kapampangan party. /je
Originally posted on Oct 15, 2018 @ 3:38 p.m.