INQToday: Gringo Honasan, Benhur Abalos, Chavit Singson, Ariel Querubin eye Senate seat

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Day 7 of COC filing: Gringo Honasan, Benhur Abalos, Chavit Singson, Ariel Querubin eye Senate seat

Former soldiers Gringo Honasan and Ariel Querubin, as well as Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos, and former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson file their certificates of candidacy for the 2025 elections.

Cynthia Villar rejects dynasty tag: It was a legacy of my father

Senator Cynthia Villar has rejected claims that her family is a political dynasty particularly in Las Piñas City, calling it instead a legacy of her late father, former Mayor Filemon Aguilar.

In an ambush interview on Monday, after she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) as representative of Las Piñas’ lone legislative district, Villar was asked about accusations from possible opponents that her family is a dynasty.

Only courts can disqualify Guo from running – lawyer

Only the courts can stop Alice Guo from running for reelection as Bamban, Tarlac mayor in next year’s elections, according to her lawyer.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), however, said that although it would have no choice but to accept Guo’s certificate of candidacy (COC), she may eventually be disqualified unless she gets a court order stopping the implementation of the Ombudsman order in August perpetually barring her from holding public office.

DILG tells local execs to be ready vs Taal’s growing unrest

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directed local officials in Batangas and Cavite provinces to prepare measures that would ensure public safety amid the ongoing unrest exhibited by Taal Volcano.

The DILG said all local officials should remain vigilant for a possible escalation to Alert Level 2 status of the volcano, which has been having a series of minor steam-driven, gas-driven, and phreatomagmatic (when water meets magma) eruptions in the past week.