Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on October 16, 2024, and later republished to reflect the final list of senatorial candidates appearing on the ballot.
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) finalized the removal of more than a hundred nuisance candidates from the long list of aspirants formally seeking a senatorial seat in the 2025 polls.
The 66 senatorial hopefuls who passed the final vetting process of the poll body are the following:
- Abalos, Benjamin Jr. “Benhur” De Castro – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Adonis, Ronaldo Mangampo – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Amad, Wilson Caritero – Independent
- Andamo, Jocelyn Santos – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Aquino, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aguirre – Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino
- Arambulo, Ronnel Gondraneos – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Arellano, Ernesto Rillera – Kamalayang Kayumanggi (Katipunan)
- Ballon, Roberto Amido – Independent
- Binay, Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Sombillo – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Bondoc, James Patrick “Jimmy” Romero – PDP-Laban
- Bong Revilla, Ramon Jr. Bautista – Lakas-CMD
- Bosita, Bonifacio Laqui – Independent
- Brosas, Arlene Duran – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Cabonegro, Roy Jerusalem – Democratic Party of the Philippines
- Capuyan, Allen Arat – Partido Pilipino sa Pagbabago
- Casiño, Teodoro “Teddy” Acevedo – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Castro, Francisca “France” Lustina – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Cayetano, Pilar Juliana “Pia” Schramm – Nacionalista Party
- De Alban, Angelo Castro – Independent
- D’Angelo, David Delano – Bunyog Pagkakaisa Party
- De Guzman, Leodegario “Leody” Quitain – Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
- Dela Rosa, Ronald “Bato” Marapon – PDP-Laban
- Doringo, Eufemia “Mimi” Pet – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Escobal, Arnel Bondilles – Partido Maharlika
- Espiritu, Renecio Jr. Santos – Partido Lakas ng Masa
- Floranda, Modesto Toque – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Gamboa, Marc Louie Santos – Independent
- Go, Christopher Lawrence Tesoro – PDP-Laban
- Gonzales, Norberto Borja – Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas
- Hinlo, Jesus Jr. Villanueva – PDP-Laban
- Honasan, Gregorio “Gringo” Ballesteros – Reform PH-People’s Party
- Jose, Relly Jr. Nufable – Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
- Lacson, Panfilo “Ping” Morena – Independent
- Lambino, Raul Loyola – PDP-Laban
- Lapid, Manuel “Lito” Mercado – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Lee, Wilbert Te – Aksyon Demokratiko (withdrawn)
- Lidasan, Amirah Ali – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Marcoleta, Rodante Dizon – Independent
- Marcos, Maria Imelda “Imee” Romualdez – Nacionalista Party
- Marquez, Norman Cordero – Independent
- Martinez, Eric Morales – Independent
- Mata, Richard Tesoro – Independent
- Matula, Jose Sonny Gito – Workers and Peasants Party (WPP)
- Maza, Liza Largoza – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Mendoza, Heidi Lloce – Independent
- Montemayor, Jose Jr. Cabrera – Partido Pederal ng Maharlika
- Olivar, Jose Jessei Dela Calsada – Independent
- Ong, Willie Tan – Aksyon Demokratiko (withdrawn)
- Pacquiao, Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Pangilinan, Francis Pancratius “Kiko” Nepomuceno – Liberal Party of the Philippines
- Querubin, Ariel Porfirio Oliva – Nacionalista Party
- Quiboloy, Apollo Carreon – WPP
- Ramos, Danilo Hernandez – Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
- Revillame, Wilfredo “Willie” Buendia – Independent
- Rodriguez, Victor “Vic” Dayrit – Independent
- Sahidulla, Nur-Ana Indanan – Independent
- Salvador, Phillip Reyes – PDP-Laban
- Singson, Luis “Chavit” Crisologo – Independent (withdrawn)
- Sotto, Vicente III “Tito” Castelo – Nationalist People’s Coalition
- Tapado, Michael Balais – Partido Maharlika
- Tolentino, Francis Ng – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
- Tulfo, Bienvenido “Ben” Teshiba – Independent
- Tulfo, Erwin Teshiba – Independent
- Valbuena, Mario Jr. “Mar” Soliven – Independent
- Verceles, Leandro Buenconsejo – Independent
- Villar, Camille Aguilar – Nacionalista Party
The other 117 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy for senator but are not on the list above were the subject of the Comelec’s motu proprio cases that declared them as nuisance candidates.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in a radio interview on December 13, 2024, that the Supreme Court did not stop the poll body from removing the candidates it identified as nuisance from the 2025 ballots.
Since the printing of the ballots listing the 66 names, however, three senatorial candidates have withdrawn from the contest: Lee, Ong, Singson. Per election rules, votes cast for them will be considered stray votes. – Rappler.com