Meet the 2019 Senatorial Candidates

What do a Sultan, a Princess, a Pastor, a Revolutionary, a man calling himself General Pederalismo, the Daughter of a Dictator, and a Doctor all have in common? They are all running for a seat in the Philippine Senate. There are 62 candidates in the race vying for 12 seats. In this post I will list them all and write a brief biography for each which demonstrates their character, background, and platform. Not every bio will have all three of those points. Some of these people are well known, some are not. The list will be in alphabetical order and their names will appear as they will be on the ballot as posted on the Comelec's website. 

1. Vangie Abejo

Vangie's real name is Evangeline Roche Abejo.  She is a lawyer and an advocate for the poor. 

2. Abner Afuang

According to his Facebook page Abner Afuang "is a Filipino mediaman. He is a former police officer and a former mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna. He is also an activist." He also poured water on Hayden Kho during a Senate hearing in 2009, burned a Chinese flag in 2015, and burned a Taiwanese flag in 2013. His candidacy was initially rejected by the Comelec.

3. Freddie Aguilar

This famous Filipino musician who has a penchant for dressing like Stevie Ray Vaughn needs no introduction. He has Duterte's support and a string of greatest hits. Listen to them here.

4. Shariff Albani

Also known as Sultan Shariff Albani, he hails from Sulu and has an extensive CV which includes an honorary doctorate from Oklahoma, USA of all places. 

5. Gary Alejano

Gary Alejano is an incumbent Congressman looking to win a seat on the Senate. A strong opponent of Duterte, he loves to pose in his military uniform despite having been an active participant in the Oakwood Mutiny.

6. Richard Alfajora

Hailing from Cebu Richard Alfajora is, according to this Facebook video, a broadcaster, a journalist, and president of the Interfaith Preachers, Educators' Advocacy for Cultural Enlightenment. He is also one of the 40 candidates who violated the Comelec's rules on campaign posters.

7. Raffy Alunan

One time DILG secretary under President Cory Aquino and a failed senatorial candidate in 2016 Raffy has decided to try his luck again because:

“I don’t know if you want to call it divine intervention, a miracle, or serendipity,” the first Aquino administration’s Tourism Secretary and the Ramos administration’s Interior Secretary says now. “I woke up with a very heavy heart. I had never experienced something like that before. And then I got a call from Dick Gordon and he said, ‘You know, I woke up with a very big, splitting headache.’ So that’s it, I think somebody’s telling us: You just go ahead, go for it. Just let go and let God.”

http://rogue.ph/raffy-alunans-war-ex-dilg-chief-broke-20-year-hiatus-run-senate/

8. Sonny Angara

An incumbent seeking reelection he sponsored the TRAIN bill which was blamed by many for the spike in inflation in 2018.

9. Bam Aquino

Politics runs deep in the veins of this Aquino family scion. Former host of the TV Show Breakfast, Bam is an incumbent Senator looking for another term. Despite being falsely accused of meeting Maute members prior to the start of the Marawi siege he has made no effort to start a Senate investigation into the events that actually caused the Marawi siege.

10. Gerald Arcega

Also known as Sultan Mohammed Issa (Issa is the name of Jesus in Islam FYI) Gerald has been a private citizen all his life and aims to end poverty, put to death corrupt politicians, and make government owned corporations people owned. He is also a Christian convert to Islam which explains his Islamic name.

11. Ernesto Arellano












A lawyer and member of the National Federation of Labor, Ernesto Arellano was at first declared a nuisance candidate but after changing parties and refiling he is now no longer a nuisance.

12. Marcelino Arias

A pastor, lawyer, and farmer Marcelino Arias is also one of the 40 candidates accused of violating Comelec poster rules. He pastors Bible Baptist Church in Quezon City.


13. Bernard Austria

There is practically no information available on Bernard Austria except that he is one of the 40 candidates accused of violating Comelec's poster rules.

14. Balde Baldeverona

Jonathan "Balde" Baldeverona is an ex-Police Chief Inspector, PMA Class of 1991. He is a Senior Consultant at Proact Philippines which provides security solutions of all types from K-9s to security guards.

15. Nancy Binay

Another dynasty candidate, Miss Binay is seeking a second term in the Senate. She has yet to be charged with graft like her father and brother but she is one of the 40 candidates accused of violating Comelec's poster rules.

16. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.

Acquitted of plunder by a divided Sandiganbayan which wanted to convict but still held him liable for hundred of millions of pesos, Bong Revilla is hoping the people will give him another chance in the Senate. Supported by Sara but dropped by President Duterte this former actor first dipped into politics in 1995 becoming Vice Governor of Cavite. Born José Marie Mortel Bautista, in 2009 he legally changed his surname to Bong Revilla.  

17. Jesus Caceres

Jesus Caceres is running on the Katipunan ticket. They advocate for federalism and major change in leadership.

18. Toti Casiño

A former IT consultant for the Comelec, Toti Casiño wants to computerise Congress. In May 2016 after it was learned that Smartmatic tampered with the transparency server without authorisation he had this to say:

“All of this are manifestations that there is a high vulnerability to fraud within the source code or within the election system, which now needs to be secured and subject to investigation,” Casino said.

http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/205630

19. Pia Cayetano

A former Senator from 2004-2016 Pia is now a Congresswoman looking to get back into the Senate. Her political career began when after the death of her father, Senator Renato Cayetano, she was encouraged by many to run for office. A noted triathlete, many of the policies she has advocated for have revolved around increasing better health for Filipinos.

20. Melchor Chavez

To quote his brief bio on Wikipedia:

Melchor "Mel" Gongora Chavez is a Filipino politician and perennial candidate and radio and print journalist. 

Chavez was born on August 6, 1951 in Kidapawan City, Cotabato. He ran for the Senate in 2004 with fellow Kilusang Bagong Lipunan candidate Oliver Lozano but failed. Melchor Chavez had tried to run for senator in past elections. In 1992, the Supreme Court disqualified him from running for senator. In 1998, Comelec did not give due course to his certificate of candidacy. In 2001, Chavez ran as the official candidate of the KBL; he garnered a measly 2% of the total votes cast. COMELEC allowed him to run again in 2004, but allies of another Chavez—Alyansa ng Pag-Asa candidate Francisco Chavez, the same candidate who questioned Melchor’s candidacy in 1992—sought Melchor’s disqualification. COMELEC eventually declared Melchor as a nuisance candidate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melchor_Chavez

21. Glenn Chong

Attorney Glenn Chong is a critic of Smartmatic and testified before the Senate about the possibilities of the system being hacked. He does not back the idea of a Con-ass because he does not trust lawmakers though he is in favour of federalism with some reservations. You can watch him answer a slew of questions about his stance on various political issues here.

22. Neri Colmenares

Human rights lawyer and former Congressman Neri Colmenares has had a storied career with many accomplishments. After a failed bid in 2016 he is giving the Senate a second shot.

The 58-year old human rights lawyer said in interviews after his filing that he was giving the Senate another shot to be the voice of ordinary citizens. 

His platform reportedly will focus on raising the wages of workers, removal of the excise tax, a ban on contractualization and the abolition of the value-added tax on electricity, water and petroleum.

http://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2018/10/11/135660/why-neri-colmenares-running-for-senate-for-second-time/

23. Ka Leody De Guzman

An attorney and labor leader, Ka Leody De Guzman has had it up to here with "scammer politicians." Responding to Senator Gatchalian who filed a bill to penalise nuisance candidates he said:

“If the good senator is seeking a deterrent to candidates who are a nuisance not only to the electoral process but to the everyday lives of the voting populace, he must rather propose the prohibition of candidates who are out on bail for plunder charges and those who have a track record of dastardly violations of human rights,” De Guzman said.

http://beyonddeadlines.com/2018/10/18/scammer-politicians-are-the-true-nuisance-candidates/

24. Bato Dela Rosa

This former PNP Chief and Secretary of the Bureau of Corrections is running for one and only one reason:

"Inanunsyo na ng Presidente. Sinabi sa 'kin ng Presidente, tumakbo ako. Eh di tatakbo ako (The President has announced it. The President told me to run, so I will run [for senator])," Dela Rosa said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/211010-ronald-dela-rosa-to-run-for-senator-2019-elections

25. Chel Diokono

Chel Diokono is a human rights lawyer who is hoping to strengthen the country's judicial system if he gets elected.

Strengthening the Philippine justice system will be the priority of human rights lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno should he win a Senate seat next year. 

Diokno said he wants to strengthen the country's justice system, which would impact other sectors of society which need improvements.  

"If you think about it, everything does revolve around the justice system. You talk about food, you talk about jobs, freedom, it all boils down to how well the justice system is working," he told ANC's "Beyond Politics."

"If people vote for me, they will see something new, a fresh wind, someone willing to speak the truth," he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/10/16/18/chel-diokno-bats-for-judicial-reforms-in-2019-senate-bid

26. Estrada JV Ejercito

This dynasty candidate has long gone by the name Ejercito but has opted to add the surname of his father, former president and current Manila mayor and pardoned plunderer Joseph Estrada, to the ballot for "better recall" because Filipinos vote by name. Recently his lucky car burned up in an auto shop fire. Hopefully his campaign for a second term fares better.


27. Juan Ponce Enrile

This holdover from the Marcos era is running for a seat in the senate because he wants to "join the fun" and also he is bored and needs something to do. Enrile would love to see the resolution of his plunder case before he dies but unfortunately for him the Sandiganbayan has indefinitely postponed his plunder trial.


28. Agnes Escudero

Agnes Escudero's platform includes industrialising barangays to uplift indigenous people and pushing for cultural tourism so indigenous peoples can make income from selling their crafts. Basically her whole platform is directed towards indigenous people.

Escudero is one of the leaders of the group Tribal Government of the Philippines which claims to govern the "unwritten law." 

She underscored that it does not intend to create a new government for indigenous people but to fulfill the unwritten laws of their ancestors in responding to social issues, such as climate change.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/684286/senate-bet-agnes-escudero-to-lobby-for-barangay-industrialization/story/

29. Jinggoy Estrada

Actor, politician, son of former President Estrada and brother of JV Ejercito this man is known by all.  Ironically even though he is charged with plunder Jinggoy Estrada wants plunder to be punishable by death.

Estrada—who is running for senator in the May elections—said he is for the reimposition of capital punishment, but only for heinous crimes, including plunder. 

"Kung magnanakaw ka sa kaban ng bayan, eh di isama na sa heinous crimes 'yan," he said on CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual. 

[Translation: If you steal money from the country's funds, might as well include it in the heinous crimes] 

"When I was still a senator nagbotohan kami dyan sa (we voted on) death penalty during the time of President Gloria (Arroyo). I abstained from the votation to abolish the death penalty because I still had an existing plunder case which was punishable by death," he said.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/02/19/jinggoy-estrada-plunder-death-penalty-politics-as-usual.html

30. Elmer Francisco

Elmer is a businessman whose family are the makers of the legendary Francisco Passenger Jeepney. From the platform section of his website we read that he revived a political party which was established in 1901 to make the Philippines the 51st state of the USA. 

Federalista, inspired by the First Philippine Political Party established in 1901 by Pedro Paterno and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera as the 1st Party President primarily to make the Philippines the 51st State of the United States of America.  It was revived by Elmer Francisco as a Political Action Committee not to merely relive the former primary purpose of the party but to promote and propagate Federalism in the Philippines in order to have a more efficient and a more progressive nation in terms of Political, Social and Economic development.  Federalism has many features that we could leverage from in order to make the poorest of the poor actually feel the progress that we are promising and the already prosperous could reach greater heights.

He is a champion of federalism, a strong national security, a strong foreign policy, and 100% employment among other things.

31. Charlie Gaddi

The bios for all these candidates are meant to be brief but the revolutionary voice of Charlie Gaddi demands to be heard in full. From his Facebook page:

NO ELECTION -- SEN. CHARLIE M. GADDI, LL.B. -- Independent - KP 

It was only in October 2018 I have secured my voter's ID since 1972, a long period in which I have been cynical in our government and electoral exercise. For almost 37 years I did my own civil disobedience; I did not vote and neither pay taxes. A disciple of non-violent revolution of Mahatma Gandhi, I raised my own resistance and struggle in a simple way. I have written several articles depicting my strong opposition to all succeeding regime from 1972 up to the administration of Noynoy Aquino. 

I hated all the elections since then. The dirt and filth of election were ingrained in my consciousness and in every succeeding election it permeate deeper to the deepest chamber of my heart. The voices of broken promises, the saintly looks of politicians, the seemingly ornamental gestures and smiles, the benevolent acts of charity, the directed and scripted oratories, the gift-giving purportedly for the poor, the giving of money for poor family, the food-giving and medical mission -- all of these, for me are farce and parochial acts of political demagogues to win the sympathy of the people and in the end reduce them into slaves. 

For me, election is a time for manipulation.Since the Philippines politics is dominated by the rich, money politic is the rule of the game. As such, rich and elite politicians with strong alliance with the oligarch have always the upperhand in manipulating the result of the election. Rich people are capable of buying the Comelec, the voters, the poll watchers, and even the electoral tribunal. Not until 2016 election, I have not seen any credible and honest election. All the succeeding elections from 1972 are generally chaotic and disorderly and that the end result is the failure of the people to elect the candidate whom they believe will truly represent them. 

Now, this coming May election, I have decided to run for senator of the republic. Though I was declared a bonafide senatorial candidate, I haven't got it without an ordeal or a legal battle. Have I accepted the senatorial candidacy because I already believe in election? My categorical answer is --NO. I still don't believe in election. Today's election has no difference with previous elections. It will not produce any changes. Because, majority of the congressional and senatorial candidates are the same who belong from the traditional politicians, dynasties and elites whose political agenda are the same and recycled. 

HENCE, I GO FOR REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT (REVGOV) AND NO ELECTION!!!!

32. Larry Gadon

After successfully ousting Chief Justice Sereno Larry Gadon has decided to give the Senate a good beatdown. As far as his platform goes:

Lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon said industry should be strengthened to stop "endo." Addressing high power rates and peace and order wilo encourage more investments in industry, he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/19/slavery-exploitation-senate-bets-promise-to-stop-endo

33. Gen Pederalismo Genoroso

This man's real name is Conrado Isabedra Generoso also known as Ding. Initially thought to be a potential nuisance candidate, Gen Pederalismo made it on the ballot and yes that is the name which will be appearing rather than Ding or Conrado. He is the spokesperson for the consultative committee tasked to review the 1987 consittuion and if it's not clear already what his platform is:

Calling himself "Heneral Federalismo," he said their Senate slate's main advocacy is to push for the draft federal charter created by the 22-member Consultative Committee (Con-Com).

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/214414-conrado-generoso-running-for-senator

34. Bong Go Go

All anyone needs to know about Bong Go is that he is Duterte's yes man and he will say yes to every bit of Duterte approved legislation which will come his way in the Senate. Duterte's will is his platform as it is Duterte who decided he would run for office.

35. Junbert Guigayuma

Lumad Junbert Guigayuma from the Subanen tribe of Misamis Oriental runs for senator to represent indigenous peoples in the Senate. He says he has PhD in divinity, theology, philosophy, and customary law.

https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1052357306438930434

36. Samira Gutoc



A long time Muslim activist from Mindanao with numerous accomplishments to her name (she is noted as one of the 500 most influential Muslims) Samira Gutoc is confident she has the Muslim vote in the bag. She also thinks it's about time the Philippines had a divorce law and she is against the death penalty, even for terrorists.

37. Pilo Hilbay



Known to all as Florin Hilbay this former Sol-Gen believes the Senate needs outsiders and he is counting on his rags to riches life story to boost his Senate bid.

(I was raised in Tondo, I grew up poor, I was always the underdog, but I topped the Bar, became the youngest professor at the University of the Philippines, and became a young solicitor general. I trust in the people's capacity to spot and weigh the qualifications and character of potential senators.) 

Hilbay said that if he makes it to the Senate, he would use his position to strengthen the Philippines' stance against China, even if it means going against the administration.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/214505-florin-hilbay-files-certificate-candidacy-senator-under-opposition-coalition

38. BFG Abraham Jangao



BFG stands for Bagong Federalismo ng Guardians. Abraham is the Brain and Father of all existing Guardians. He founded the Lawin Guardians International in 1976 at Kidama, Maguindanao. He is part of Diablo squad. The mission of Lawin Guardians, and presumably his platform, is:

LAWIN SEEK AND CONSTRUCT HUMANITARIAN SERVICES,USEFULNESS & DESTINY IN THE PHILIPPINES GEARED TO BENEFIT PRIMARILY ITS NEEDY PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY.THEY ARE STRONGLY COMMITTED TO RENDER PERSONAL SERVICES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PHIL. COMMUNITY AND ITS PEOPLE.THEY GIVE NO EXCUSES AS THEY HEREBY SET THE INNOVATIVE TONE OF CHANGES W/C SHALL PRESENT IN A MATTER OF A FACT HUMANITARIAN SERVICE TO THE NEEDY SECTORS OF THE PHIL. SOCIETY,INTENSELY DETERMINE IN THE LIGHT OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND NECESSITY.THEY GIVE DIGNITY TO THIS BATTLE AND CRUSADE BY DOING AND PRACTICING WHAT THEY HEREBY STRONGLY SET AND DESIRE.

https://lawinguardiansintl.weebly.com/about.html

39. RJ Javellana



RJ Javellana is president of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters so his platform is likely one revolving around the concerns of consumers and commuters.

40. Lito Lapid



A former actor and two-term Senator, Lito Lapid is gunning for a third term in the Senate. "Lapid is the principal author of the "Lapid Law", which provides expanded Free Legal Services to indigent Filipinos." What will he do if elected once more? Nothing.

Asked what he intended to do at the Senate, the former senator only said:“Wala ituloy lang natin yung dati natin… yung hindi natin natuloy.” (Nothing, we will just continue what we were not able to continue before.)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/214349-lito-lapid-seeks-senate-comeback

41. Macaromy Macalintal



Macaromy aka Romulo is an election lawyer. In fact he is Vice President Leni Robredo's lawyer in her dispute with Bong Bong Marcos. He is running as an independent but as a guest of Robredo who is chairman of the Liberal Party.

“Yes, independent but guest of Vice President Leni (Robredo) in her coalition party,” Macalita said in a text message when asked about reports about his plans for the May 2019 elections.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1039284/macalintal-to-vie-for-a-senate-seat-in-2019-polls

42. Emily Mallillin



That photo comes directly from her Facebook page Sen.Emily T. Mallillin "Ina ng Bayan". Emily is pro-federalism and she is very confident of her win because her Facebook page has already given her the title Senator.

43. Faisal Mangondato



A proponent of federalism and the new BARRM, Faisal Mangondato is looking to push for major change in the Senate.


44. Dong Mangudadatu



Back in March 2018 Congressman Dong was hopeful that he would be the lone Muslim candidate of ruling party PDP-Laban. Well he is not running on the PDP-Laban ticket nor is he the only Muslim candidate running. In fact Faisal Mangondato might be accidentally wrecking Dong's chances with voters:

Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu is facing an uphill climb to become a senator, with less than four out of 10 voters aware of him and a candidate whose surname sounds like his. 

Pulse Asia’s latest survey on the senatorial race showed Mangudadatu ranked 22nd to 28th in a field of 70 senatorial candidates. Only 38 percent of respondents said they were aware of him. 

A possible contributor to Mangudadatu’s poor showing in the survey is the candidacy of one Faisal Mangondato, who is running as an independent. 

Mangondato is ranked 34th to 55th in the survey, with only 15 percent of respondents saying they were aware of who he was.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/18/mangudadatu-wants-to-be-lone-muslim-in-pdp-laban-slate/

45. Jiggy Manicad

Jiggy is a former reporter with GMA and vows to bring that experience to the Senate should he win.

Facing his former media colleagues after filing his candidacy, Manicad said he would use his knowledge and experience as a reporter in crafting laws in the interest of Filipinos. 

"Bago ako sa politics pero hindi ako bago sa issues na araw-araw kino-cover din natin (I may be new to politics but I'm not new to the issues we cover everyday)," he said, mentioning his past coverage of human trafficking, farmers' woes, and the plight of overseas Filipino workers.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/214485-reporter-jiggy-manicad-running-senator

46. Imee Marcos



Everybody knows who Imee Marcos is unless you have been living under a rock. The daughter of dictator Ferdinand Marcos she and her family refuse to apologise for the past. She says she graduated from Princeton while Princeton says otherwise. She has been under investigation by the Ombudsman for financial irregularities during her tenure as Governor of Illocos Norte. But she is hoping everyone forgets about who and what she is because Sara Duterte is giving Imee her full support.

47. Jose Sonny Matula



Attorney Sonny Matula is president of the Federation of Free Workers which is a major trade union in the Philippines. Here he is in his own words:

"I dream that one day all Filipinos will have decent jobs with living wages; their children can go to schools with quality education; have their own decent homes, ample food for every meal, and good medical care." 

He is running for Senator under the Labor Party Philippines with legislative agenda of decent jobs with living wages, workers' empowerment, social protection for all and social change.

https://www.facebook.com/SonnyGMatula/photos/a.2227575524188460/2301752073437471/?type=1&theater

48. Luther Meniano



This picture pretty much sums up his platform which is rather eco-friendly. Luther is on the Board of Directors of Greenphil which is a company that dabbles in hydroponics and aquaponics.

OBJECTIVES​ 

The project aims to: 

• Develop and produce a high quality export oriented sea food products and fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants in a pristine and controlled environment. 

• To share an equitable micro-economic dividend of the products derived from the project to the concerned Filipino people and Foreign investors. 

• Accomplish a limited land use area for new human settlement, a joint management with Local Government authorities and private sector’s participation in an ECO-GREEN environment protection program.

https://greenphilaquaponics.wixsite.com/greenphil/about

Funny that he is among the 40 candidates who have violated Comelec's poster rules.


49. Allan Montaño



Allan is a member of he Federation of Free Workers and:

Lawyer Allan Montaño of Federation of Free Workers (FFW) agreed by emphasizing that the platform of the Labor Win alliance is a “fighting platform” that seeks to unite the workers in fighting for the interests of the toiling and impoverished majority. 

The platform includes the demands for decent work for all; a national minimum wage; regular jobs; increased budget for social service such as housing, education, and healthcare; industrialization of the local economy; price control; OFW defense; unemployment insurance; and the opposition against the neoliberal and pro-dynasty charter change.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/15/labor-groups-present-own-senatorial-slate-labor-win/

50. Joan Sheelah Nalliw

Attorney Nalliw is running on the Katipunan Party ticket which advocates federalism. He is also the President of the Pochon Youth Group, at least he was back in 2008. But as there is not much information about this man to be found:

Part of the advocacy of the Pochon Youth Group is to help maintain and preserve the richness of the cultural heritage of Mayoyao by organizing the youth, who were left behind and tended the rice terraces and inviting tourists/guests to join in the eco-tours and hopefully learn to appreciate the cultural practices of the Mayoyao ancestors who tried their best to create and bestow a rich culture to the present generation. 

To be able to address this, the group was able to come up with the eco-cultural tours. It will help encourage community participation in the restoration and conservation of their remaining traditional rice terrace systems and practices in their ancestral domain.

https://mayoyaoifugao.weebly.com/about-this-project.html

He is probably running to represent the Ifuago.

51. Doc Willie Ong




Doc Willie Ong is a cardiologist who has 10 million followers on Facebook which is twice as many as Mocha Uson making him the "undisputed king of FB." He is banking on those people to vote for him. In fact he is only running because he has so many followers.

Banking on his millions of Facebook followers, the popular Dr Willie Ong filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator on Thursday, October 11, to push for health reforms through the Senate health committee. 

“Walang doktor na nagsusulong sa committee on health (There’s no doctor pushing for things at the committee on health),” the 54-year-old Ong said after filing his COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila. 

Saying he idolizes Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Ong said he has always wanted to help more patients. 

He added, “Kaya natin 'to ginawa kasi umabot tayo ng 10 million followers sa Facebook (We did this also because we reached 10 million followers on Facebook)." 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/214050-willie-ong-files-certificate-candidacy-senator

52. Serge Osmeña

A member of Cebu's Osmeña clan, Serge is seeking a fourth term in the Senate where he served from 1995-2007 and 2010-2016. He lost his bid in 2016 but maybe this is his year for a comeback. If he is elected he will try to pass legislation that failed to pass during his previous terms.

In a television interview, Osmeña said he will push for old bills that failed to pass through the legislature if he wins a Senate seat in May. 

“Like the Land Use Code. we got to have a Land Use Code in this country. Unfortunately, they have not passed it for so many years, about 30 years na ng nag land use code yan,” the ex-politiko added. 

Having a national land use code, according to him, “will tell you where you can put your things, your industrial, commercial, residential et cetera.” 

Osmeña said solving the problems encountered by Filipino coconut planters also tops his priority legislation list. 

https://politics.com.ph/serge-osmena-shares-priority-bills-in-senate-bid/ 

53. Dado Padilla

Dado Padilla is a former TESDA secretary. According to this twitter feed from Rappler which surveyed the candidates on key issues he is for medical marijuana, against requiring candidates for public office to have a college degree, for mandatory random drug tests on college students, against banning profanity in public, pro death penalty for heinous crimes, for the drug war, for lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and against the martial law extension in Mindanao,

54. Koko Pimentel

Koko is running for his third consecutive term in the Senate. This has not been without controversy. He lost his bid for the Senate in 2007 but protested the results. A recount was held which resulted in him being declared the winner four years later in 2011. He only served two years of that term which means he has only been a Senator for eight years. Senators in the Philippines cannot serve more than 12 consecutive years. If he wins does this mean he will only serve four years and then step down? This is an issue that might make its way to the Supreme Court should he win.

55. Grace Poe

Inoffensive and bland, Grace Poe is a perennially popular politician in the Philippines. Of course she is not without her detractors who label her as just an ordinary trapo but what's wrong with being ordinary and traditional? There's no pleasing some people but Grace Poe seems to please most people.

56. Dan Kaibigan Roleda

Dan Roleda is an attorney with many accomplishments and a deep connection to the entertainment industry. Why is he running for Senator? Let him tell you.

To me it is more of a calling rather than a mission.  As to why I'm running only God can say. Maybe it's fate. Maybe it's destiny. Cause I'm doing all of this out of my love for the country and for the people and it's really a sacrifice but it is worth it. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of us. Who are we not to sacrifice even just a little to serve his people? I'm running to become your public servant. I'm running to become committed to public service. Help me that I become worthy of all this position and this responsibilities. It is not the title that I am after it is more of the responsibilities that are part of the title that I need to perform. We have many dreams for our country and it is my duty to fulfil all your dreams and aspirations.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1397676530368351

57. Mar Roxas

Mar Roxas is the Yellowturd's dream candidate for high office because only an idiot would vote for him.  Haha! Just kidding. This man is a regular politician type. He is like Grace Poe except so many people hate him because he is part of the Liberal party. After losing to Duterte in 2016 why would he do this all over again?

"I'm not here to redo 2016. I'm not here to show them [that], 'See, nagkamali kayo (See, you're wrong).' No, they can do what they want. I'm here because gusto ko makatulong na umahon tayo sa kahirapan (I'm here because I want to help our people overcome poverty)," said Roxas on Friday, February 8. 

Now branding himself as "Mar, aming ekonomista (Mar, our economist)," Roxas said he plans to help change the Philippines' standing as a third world country. 

"I'm 61 years old. I was born 1957. [In] 1957, [the] Philippines was No. 2 in Asia. Tinitingala tayo, hinahangaan tayo (People looked up to us, they admired us). IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) was located here because we have the most scientists, the most technologies…. World Health Organization was located here, we had the most doctors, we had the best health care, public system health care. Asian Development Bank, ADB...was located here because we're the best finance people, we have the best project specialists, and so on and so forth," said Roxas. 

"Now, what do they call us? Third world? Kulelat (Among the last)? I'm not pointing fingers, I'm just saying that that's the situation now, so whatever we can do so we that we can improve our standing, I'm ready to do that. That's what I want to do," he added.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/223240-roxas-senate-bid-not-redo-2016

58. Lady Ann Sahidulla

Hailing from Sulu this former Congresswoman is giving the Senate a run for the money. She has been Chairwoman of Sulu chapter of the Red Cross since 2004. Apparently she is a Princess who misdeclared her 2009 SALN and was subsequently indicted eight years later. Despite being a Princess she is very much for the poor people.

Sahidulla said she is the "princess of the poorest of the poor" and that she is for the masses. 

"Kasi minamahal ako ng mga mahihirap kaya para sa mahirap talaga ako. Yes, royal blood. Kahit royal blood ako, siyempre mas marami yung mahirap kaya dun ako, dahil nangangailangan sila talaga," she said. 

(I'm loved by the poor, which is why I'm for the poor. Even if I'm of royal blood, there are more poor people and I support them because they are really in need.) 

"Ang masasabi ko lang sana, kung sino ang nakapakinig sakin ngayon, suportahan ninyo ako, lalo na yung mga mahihirap dahil ako ay para sa mahirap. Kung magkaisa tayong lahat, tandaan ninyo hindi kailangan bilhin ang boto. Panahon na para magbago ang ating bansa." 

(I want to tell those who listened to me to support me, especially the poor because I am for the poor. If we unite, remember that there is no need to buy votes. It is time for our nation to change.)

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/11/18/ex-sulu-lawmaker-on-misdeclared-saln-case-i-was-politicized

59. Lorenzo Erin Tapat Tañada

A former Congressman who comes from a long line of politicians and an advocate for the marginalised, Erin Tañada has the best interests of Filipinos at heart.

Erin continues to fight for the causes of consumers, informal sectors, workers, farmers, and small entrepreneurs, and is a consistent advocate for peace and development. 

His platform is centered on providing adequate, stable, and consequential work that will enable Filipinos to provide for their family and build a better future through increased opportunities to improve their lives. Recognizing that work is the backbone of our economy, he aims to ensure productivity and job security. In line with this, Erin wants to make sure that the taxes paid for by the hard work of Filipinos is used wisely by the government to deliver honest and responsive governance.

http://erintanada.ph/platform/

60. Francis Tolentino

Francis has been in politics for decades starting in 1986 as being appointed OIC Mayor of Tagatay to being the Duteres advisor on political affairs from July 11, 2017 to October 17, 2018. Tolentino has the full support of Duterte which means his platform is identical with Duterte's. Of the 40 senatorial candidates accused of violating Comelec poster rules they say he is the most disobedient.

A Commission on Elections (COMELEC) official called administration senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino “the most disobedient of all candidates.”
Commissioner Rowena Guanzon tweeted this after the former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman failed to take down his billboard along the Pasay flyover until Friday morning. “This candidate has been marked by voter educ… even if he took down his billboard this morning,” Guanzon said in a separate tweet on Friday. Earlier, the commissioner called out Tolentino, along with former Presidential aide Bong Go–another administration-backed candidate–to take down their out-of-size and out-of-place posters. “By public demand, candidates Bong Go and Tolentino please take down your posters now,” she said. Responding to those who ask her why Tolentino should take down his posters ‘by public demand’ and not by law, Guanzon said she has repeatedly called the candidate’s attention but to no avail.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/22/comelec-exec-tolentino-is-the-most-disobedient-candidate/

 61. Butch Valdes

Butch Valdes is a former Department of Education Undersecretary. He is a very patriotic man being the founder of the Citizen National Guard which is:

the spearhead that would awaken the Filipino that would conceptualize and give birth to a nation of patriots and nationalists whose being born as citizens automatically establishes their being recognized as Soldiers of the Republic who will “Defend the Country, Protect the People and Support the President”!

Born of the CNG is the Save the Nation Movement which has three goals:

The Save the Nation movement calls for “Three Urgent Steps”: a new Green Revolution to restore food self-sufficiency; the restoration of the Bataan nuclear plant, and the rapid construction of other nuclear power facilities; and a moratorium on the usurious and illegitimate foreign debt of the nation, freeing resources for development.

"A new Green Revolution" which includes nuclear power? That is certainly a unique platform to say the least.

62. Cynthia Villar

Wife of billionaire Manny Villar, Cynthia is an incumbent looking to win a second term in Congress. In 2017 she was ridiculed for suggesting restaurants ban unli-rice promotions because eating too much white rice leads high blood sugar which leads to diabetes. Other controversies with Mrs. Villar include allegations of corruption involving her son Mark who is the head of the DPWH as well as alleged conflicts of interest with her businesses including levelling a mountain in Boracay during the shutdown. If elected to office again this wealthiest of all Senators will probably keep on trucking.


That is all 62 candidates summed up in a word or two based on what information is easily found about them online. Far too many of these candidates do not have details about themselves and their platforms readily available. The Facebook pages maintained by more than a few candidates lack the most basic summaries about who they are and what they stand for. It seems as if several candidates are running on a stunt platform which makes it surprising they made it past the Comelec's nuisance detector.

There are a wide variety of candidates to choose from this year. 50 of these people will go home losers on election day and 12 will go on to form the 18th Congress of the Fifth Philippine Republic. To them and the Philippines, good luck and Godspeed!