152 file candidacy for senate but Comelec to weed out nuisance candidates By Kia Obang and Dave Abuel, ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group

Farmers, teachers, a vocalist of a rock band—they are among the 152 senatorial aspirants who filed their Certificates of Candidacy for the May 2019 mid-term elections—20 less than the 172 COC filers in 2016.

Only about 1 out of every 10 senatorial aspirants are women (14%). Nearly half of them indicated that they are running as independent candidates.

The youngest of them, Armelsen Palencia, is 33 years old and the oldest, former senator , is 94.

However, the minimum age requirement for senator is 35 years per the 1987 Constitution, and Palencia will likely be among those who will not be allowed by Comelec to run.

In fact, of the 152 who filed their COC for senator for next year’s elections, it is likely that only about a third will be declared official candidates. This happened in the last elections, when Comelec declared as nuisance candidates 65% (112) of the 172 COC filers for senator, leaving only 50 official candidates for senator in the 2016 elections.

Comelec will be evaluating the COCs and declare as nuisance candidates those who will be found to “put the election process in mockery or disrepute,” those who do not have a “bona fide intention to run,” and whether they have the capacity to wage a nationwide campaign, per the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec issuances.

The Commission has until December 15 to decide on the official list of candidates for the 2019 elections, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said.

List of Senatorial Aspirants who filed their Certificate of Candidacy for the May 2019 Midterm Elections (As of October 17, 2018) Source of Basic Data: Certificate of Candidacy for Senator, Comelec Law Department

Political Party/Coalition as stated in Full Name the CoC Profession/Occupation as stated in the CoC Katipunan ng Kamalayan ng 1 Abejo, Evangeline Roche Kayumanggi Community Organizer 2 Abuid, Nestor Peñaflor Independent Businessman 3 Afable, Agnes Tecson Independent Businesswoman Labor Party aka at Magsasaka/Workers 4 Afuang, Abner L. & Peasants Party Media Practitioner 5 Aguilar, Ferdinand P. PDP-Laban Composer/Singer 6 Alba, Albert Gomez Independent Retired CPA Workers and Peasant Party/Labor 7 Albani, Ibrahim H. Party of the Philippines Businessman 8 Alegre, Jcmark Sereno - Retired Chaplain/Journalist 9 Alejano, Gary Cajolo Liberal Party Party-list Representative 10 Alfajora, Richard Undang Katipunan Party Media/Farmer 11 Alunan, Rafael III Moreno Bagumbayan Party Businessman 12 Amantiad, Evelia L. Independent Self-employed 13 Amir-Hussin, Salipada Alih Lakas-CMD Businessman Angara, Juan Edgardo Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino 14 Manalang (LDP) Senator-Lawyer 15 Anima, Nid A. Independent Writer-Publisher 16 Ansula, Ernesto Calunod Independent self-employed Apacible, Michael Nueva 17 Espana - Blogger/Sales person Aquino, Paolo Benigno IV 18 Aguirre Liberal Party Senator Labor Party Philippines aka Partido Manggagawa at Magsasaka/Workers 19 Arcega, Gerald B. & Peasants Party Entrepreneur Arcilla, Oscar Jr. 20 Garchitorena Independent NGO Katipunan ng Kamalayang 21 Arellano, Ernesto Rillera Kayumanggi (Katipunan Party KP) Lawyer Labor Party Philippines aka Partido Manggagawa at Magsasaka Workers Lawyers, Pastor, Father, Former 22 Arias, Marcelino Poseda and Peasant Party Broadcaster Katipunan ng Kamalayang 23 Arpa, Hussayin Albin Kayumanggi (Katipunan Party KP) Agriculturist Austria, Bernardo Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng 24 Fernandez Pilipinas (PDSP) Community Organizer Avena, Vicente Raymund Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 25 G. (KDP) Real Estate Broker 26 Bacolod, Ricky T. Independent Businessman 27 Balagosa, Kary Lumayno Independent Constructors 28 Balangue, Rowell S. - - Baldevarona, Jonathan 29 Querubin Filipino Family Party Businessman Binay, Maria Lourdes 30 Nancy S. United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Senator Bong Revilla, Ramon Jr. 31 Bautista Lakas-CMD Businessman/Actor Katipunan ng Kamalayang 32 Caceres, Jesus Medera Kayumanggi (KP) Barber Philippine Green Republican Party 33 Cadion, Leo Miranda (PGRP) Businessman 34 Calvo, Teodoro Jr. Kacson - Seaman OFW Camorongan, Porferio 35 Salinas - Technician 36 Capular, Elizabeth Sevilla Independent Bachelor of Science 37 Carreon, Carmelo D. Independent Licensed Insurance Agent Casino, Edmund Vicente 38 Gonzales Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino Information Technologist 39 Castillo, Andrew Padilla Independent Independent Trainor and Speaker 40 Castro, Christian A. - Publisher/Editor Cayetano, Pilar Juliana 41 Schramm Lawyer/Congresswoman Labor Party Philippines aka Partido Manggagawa at Magsasaka/Workers 42 Chavez, Melchor G. & Peasants Party Broadcast/Journalist Makabayang Koalisyon Mamamayan 43 Colmenares, Neri J. () Lawyer Dadulla, Emmanuel Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 44 Antipolo (KDP) Executive Chief 45 Dapat, Rey B. - OFW 46 Davila, Rizalito Yap Independent Exec. Dir./Broadcaster 47 De Alban, Angelo Castro - Lawyer Teacher De Guzman, Leodigario 48 Quintain (PL)M Labor Leader Defiño, Ephraim 49 Baldomero - Businessman 50 Dela Cruz, Robel S. - Professional Teacher 51 Dela Rosa, Ronald M. PDP-Laban Government Employee 52 Diaz, Ramon C. - - Diokno, Jose Manuel 53 Tadeo Icasiano Liberal Party of the Philippines Lawyer Domondon, Dominick 54 Japag - Retired Employee Ejercito, Joseph Victor 55 Gomez Nationalist People's Coalition Senator/Public Servant Encarnacion, Alexander 56 Cua Independent Electrician Katipunan ng Kamalayang 57 Escudero, Agnes Nieva Kayumanggi - Katipunan Party Licensed Professional Teacher 58 Estrada, Jinggoy Ejercito Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Movie Actor 59 Francisco, Elmer Bautista Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) Jeepney Manufacturer 60 Fuerte, Edmundo Del Pilar Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino Business Entrepreneur Katipunan ng Kamalayang 61 Gaddi, Charlie Mallari Kayumanggi (Katipunan Party KP) Journalist 62 Gadon, Lorenzo G. Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) Lawyer Galero Reynante 63 Grefaldeo - Generoso, Conrado Katipunan ng Kamalayang 64 Isabedra Kayumanggi (Katipunan Party KP) Media Consultant 65 Geroy, Geremy Anas Independent Driver Go, Christopher Lawrence 66 Tesoro PDP-Laban Government Employee 67 Gonzales, Carlos III Que myself - Labor Party Philippines aka Partido Guigayuma, Junbert Manggagawa at Magsasaka Workers 68 Malinis and Peasant Party Tribal Datu 69 Guinto, Joselito Celis Independent Businessman 70 Hilbay, Florin Ternal Lawyer/Professor 71 Iliw Iliw, William Plamiano Independent Businessman Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 72 Imperial, Rosita Karingal (KDP) Businesswoman 73 Inte, Victoriano T. - Farmer Jangao, Leborio Jr. 74 Malabon PDP-Laban Retired PNP 75 Javelona, Josefa Catpay Katipuna ng Kamalayan Kayumanggi Farmer Katigbak, Alejo 76 Panganiban - Taxi Driver 77 Lagare, Sixto Baflor Philippine Green Republican Party Media Practitioner 78 Lamoste, Roel A. Independent Businessman 79 Lapid, Manuel Mercado Nationalist People's Coalition Actor Librando, Ernesto 80 Gentrolizo Independent Administer Officer 81 Lopez, Bethsaida Domingo Independent Street Educator Lopez, Emmanuel Sto. 82 Domingo Independent Consultant Macalintal, Romulo 83 Bautista Independent Lawyer 84 Maco, Alan Consad independent Chief Engineer Magistrado, Andrew 85 Amoroso Independent/Hugpong Pagbabago CF, ME, ECE, LIB, FN Bad Face Rockband leader Rey 86 Magtira, Danel R. Montalban Santos Vocalist Rock Bad Face Band 87 Maiquezm Fredie Alforte Philippine Green Republican Party Sub-contractor Maliuanag, Vector Julius 88 Bugayong - Manager Katipunan ng Kamalayang 89 Mallinllin, Emily Telan Kayumanggi (Katipunan Party KP) Businesswoman Manahan, Ma. Socorro 90 Diaz Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) CEO Executive Director 91 Manalo, Dionisio E. - Farmer Mangondato, Faisal Katipunan ng Kamalaang 92 Montay Kayumanggi Party (KP) Businessman Mangundadatu, Zajid 93 Gaguil PDP-Laban Representative - Businessman 94 Manicad, Rodrigo Jr Defeo Independent Broadcast Journalist Manrique, Medardo 95 Grimaldo Independent Educator Marcos, Maria Imelda 96 Josefa Romualdez Nacionalista Party Government Employee Marin, Robert Alexander A. Cague, Philippine Great 97 Masungsong Republican Party (PGRP) Engineer/Scientist Marquez, Norman 98 Cordero Independent Real Estate Broker 99 Matula, Jose Sonny Gito Labor Party Philippines Labor Lawyer Labor Party Philippines aka Partido Manggagawa at Magsasaka Workers 100 Meniano, Luther Gascon and Peasant Party Businessman 101 Merano, Rolando P. - Self-employed 102 Montalban, Manny Ortega Independent Security guard 103 Montano, Allan Sablon Independent Lawyer/Labor Leader 104 Montano, Pedro Cartalina - Retired General 105 Montarde, Manuel Ganco Philippine Green Republican Party Businessman 106 Moreño, Vivian Suan Akbayan Citizen's Action Party Human Rights Advocate Katipunan ng Kamalayang 107 Nalliw, Joan Sheelah Odan Kayumanggi (KP) Lawyer 108 Nancilla, Rodel Sincero Independent Business Consultant Naval, francisco 109 Garchitrorena Independent Civil Engineer 110 Navarro, Marvin M. - Businessman 111 Navarro, Rodel Sy Independent Certified Public Accountant Differenct Church, NGO, Private sectors in Luzon, Visayas and 112 Negapatan, Eric A. Mindanao Missionary 113 Nocon, Valeriano II P. Independent Songwriter 114 Nuega, Gene Mongcal - Accountant 115 Ong, Willie T. Lakas CMD Physician Osmeña, Sergio III, De la 116 Rama Independent Businessman 117 Padilla, Diosdado Ortiz Partido Federal ng Pilipinas Lawyer Palencia, Armelsen 118 Abadicio Independent Architect Pimentel, Aquilino Martin 119 III L. PDP-Laban Senator-Lawyer 120 Pipo, Robert Basconcillo Independent Driver 121 Plaza, Rolando Baisas - - Poe-Llamanzares, Mary 122 Grace Natividad Sonora Independent Public Servant/Senator 123 Poliquit, Jaime Vidal Independent Carmencita B. Poliquit Ponce Enrile, Juan 124 Furagganan - Businessman Civil Structural Engineer Portugal, Severino Jr. (politician/Businessman etc. /King(Prophet 125 Deluana Independent Isaiah 32:8) Ramel, Ernesto Jr. 126 Mascardo Aksyon Demokratiko Political Consultant 127 Roca, Cesar C. Independent Driver/Owner Negokart Fishball Rtc. 128 Roleda, Danilo V. United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Business/Lawyer Roque, Herminio Harry Jr. 129 Lopez People's Reform Party Lawyer Roxas, Lemicio Jesus Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 130 Salalila (KDP) Mechanical Engineer 131 Roxas, Manuel Araneta Liberal Party Businessman/Economist 132 Sabio, Jude Jasue Lozano Not Applicable Lawyer Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 133 Sahidulla, Nur-Ana S. (KDP) Businesswoman 134 Salac, Rodel Recentes Independent Engineer ECE 135 Salangsang, Pepito Santos - - 136 Salon, Eleazar C. - Nurse 137 Saludin, Saidina Eysa Anah Independent Teacher 138 Santos,Manuel Banaag "Senator" Skilled Electrician 139 Schneider, Rodaliza Bustos - Broadcaster Actress 140 Sumalinog, Alfredo Auguis independent Businessman 141 Sy, Rosemarie Aquilino Independent Business Consultant Tagean, Salam EDE Lacan 142 Luisong Sr. D. - King of Maharlika 143 Tagle, Pedrito Diaz Independent Business Consultant 144 Talledo, Charlie Bucao Independent Driver 145 Tañada, Lorenzo III Reyes Liberal Party Lawyer 146 Tolentino, Francis Ng PDP-Laban Lawyer 147 Tomawis, Samira G. Liberal Party of the Philippines Writer 148 Tuana, Anson L. Independent Self-employed 149 Usman, Ibrahim Dasadas Independent Peace Office WPMA Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino 150 Valdes, Antonio A. (KDP) Certified Public Accountant Vasquez, Benedicto 151 Villasenor - Seaman Captain 152 Villar, Cynthia Aguilar Nacionalista Paty Senator