Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Grace Poe. INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO and INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has revealed the initial list of those who are vying for national and local positions in the coming May elections.
According to the poll body, the list is still subject for verification and editing as the outcome of the various disqualification cases filed against presidential, vice presidential and senatorial bets could still trim the number of candidates.
On the list are eight people who are seeking the presidency—almost six percent of the 130 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy last October.
The following people are included on the list of those vying for the presidency:
- Vice President Jejomar Binay of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)
- Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago of People’s Reform Party (PRP)
- Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)
- Mel Mendoza of Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)
- Senator Grace Poe
- Mar Roxas of Liberal Party
- OFW Party-list Representative Roy Señeres
- Dante Valencia
SCREENGRAB FROM THE COMELEC WEBSITE
Poe and Duterte are both facing disqualification cases while Valencia has a pending motion for reconsideration before the full commission to appeal the petition declaring him as a nuisance bet.
READ: Grace Poe’s name to remain in official list of candidates ‘for now’ – Comelec
Earlier reports stated that Mendoza, who is allied with the PMP, was fielded to supposedly secure a slot for Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s third run for the presidential race. However, the rumors were quelled after Estrada filed his COC for a second term as the mayor of the country’s capital.
Meanwhile, there are six people running for vice president: Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gringo Honasan, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV and Congresswoman Leni Robredo.
READ: Comelec bares final list of VP candidates
There are 52 senatorial aspirants while there are 120 party-list groups seeking seats in the House of Representatives.
The poll body advised those who have corrections in their names to communicate the election officer concerned until January 21.
The cocmplete list of national and local bets can be viewed on the Comelec website. IDL