Pacquiao, Honasan gun for Senate return after 2022 loss

FORMER SENATORS Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao and Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II, who both failed to secure a national post in 2022, on Monday filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) at the Manila Hotel in a bid to return to the chamber in 2025.

Mr. Pacquiao, who is among the candidates endorsed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., told reporters that his advocacy is to fight corruption. The boxing champion, who served as a senator from 2016-2022, was known for being the top absentee of the upper chamber.

Mr. Honasan, who is eyeing a third Senate comeback, told reporters he still has “unfinished business” in the chamber, promising to focus on land use, national security, freedom of information, and food security if he wins again.

He was a senator from 1995 to 2004 and 2007 until 2019, when he was appointed Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Former senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV also registered to join the Senate race after opting out of the 2022 elections to run the presidential campaign of former vice-president Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo. He served as a Senator from 2013 to 2019.

Also among those who filed their CoCs is outgoing Senator Cynthia A. Villar, running for a congressional seat to trade places with her daughter, incumbent Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar-Genuino. The younger Ms. Villar is aiming to replace her mother in the upper chamber as she filed her CoC last week.

The billionaire family, whose patriarch Manuel B. Villar, Jr. is the richest man in the Philippines and former Senate President, currently has two seats in the upper chamber with son Mark and matriarch Cynthia sitting.

Reelectionist Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. also filed his CoC. He did not entertain questions from the media. He first served in the upper chamber from 2004 to 2016, before his reelection in 2019.

The action star faced a plunder charge before Sandiganbayan when he allegedly pocketed money from his Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was still a senator. The anti-graft court acquitted his plunder charges in 2019.

Businessman and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” C. Singson filed his CoC for a seat in the Senate. His last post was as a mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur from 2019-2022.

Talking to reporters after he filed his CoC, the Ms. Universe Philippines frontman said he would advocate for a cheaper public utility vehicle unit.

Now-resigned Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. also filed his CoC to run for the Senate with the endorsement of Mr. Marcos.

Mr. Abalos held a seat in the Cabinet since 2022 and served as the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority during Mr. Duterte’s term. He was the mayor of Mandaluyong City from 1998 to 2004, before becoming the city’s congressman from 2004 to 2007.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno filed his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) as the first nominee for Akbayan party-list.

The founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law ran twice for senator but lost both times.

Akbayan currently has one seat in the House of Representatives after the Supreme Court canceled the win of An-Waray party-list.

Movie icon Nora C. Villamayor, more popularly known as Nora Aunor, also filed her CONA as the first nominee of People’s Champ Guardians party-list. She said her reason for running is “just to help people.”

The filing of CoCs and CONA will end today, Oct. 8. As of writing, a total of 127 Senate hopefuls have registered and 137 as party-list representatives.

The Philippines will hold midterm elections next year. Filipinos will elect their congressmen, mayors, vice mayors, and members of city councils on May 12, 2025. Twelve of the 24-member Senate will also be replaced. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana