LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas (third from right), and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo file their COCs with Roxas’ wife Korina Sanchez and mother Judy Araneta Roxas, and Robredo’s children Aika, Tricia and Jillian. YUJI VINCENT GONZALES/INQUIRER.net
The fourth and second to the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2016 elections have ended, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting more people seeking top national posts tomorrow.
Liberal Party bets Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero led today’s COC filers.
As of Oct. 15, 5:00 p.m., Comelec said 76 people filed COCs for president, 15 for vice president, and 83 for senators.
For president:
- Manuel “Mar” Roxas II
- Quiterio Castilla
- Jose Larry Maquinana
- Camilo Tiqui
- Justino Padiernos
- Apolonia Soguilon
- Erenia Romanillos
- Sahiron Salim
- Benecio Rufil
- Buenafe aka Brigido
- Elizabeth Capular
- Crisostomo Arada
- Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares
- Maria Victoria del Rosario
- Edna Guillermo
- Gary Jamile
- Erwin Padirogao
- Rodel Mancilla
- Ranulfo Feliciano
For vice president:
- Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo
- Hermito De Asis
- Diego Palomares, Jr.
- Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero
For senator:
- Robert De Castro
- Alvin Almirante Bersales
- Sandra Cam
- Nariman Ambolodto
- Hernando Bruce
- Allan Montano
- Lorna Kapunan
- Cresente Paez
- Jay Angelique Jaafar
- Ephraim David
- Leila De Lima
- Celedonio Ompad
- Ray Dorona
- Pol Bulilan
- Antonio Aquino
- Teofisto Guingona III
- Fausto Cabantac
- Sergio Osmeña III
- Floresca Leto
- Bethsaida Lopez
- Yusoph Mando
- Habib Adz Nikabulin
- Rosauro Revilla
- Nicandro Pitos
- Rosalinda Dacanay
- Catherine Gawat
- Arturo Remo
- Elizabeth del Rio Martinez
- Amado Combate
- Mary Lou Estrada
Asked about the high number of aspirants, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez reiterated the poll body’s provisions on so-called “nuisance” candidates.
Jimenez said Comelec has the authority to reject COCs of individuals who make a mockery of the electoral system; seek to confuse voters through similarity of names; and have no bona fide or good intention in running for office.
Saying that the Comelec’s evaluation process is “not that simplistic,” Jimenez said those who “fall outside reasonableness” may also be deemed as nuisance.
The official list of candidates for the 2016 polls is set to be released on Dec. 10. JE