SENATORS Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and Risa Hontiveros as well as 2019 top vote-getter Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list led those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) and certificates of nomination and acceptance (Cona) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Day 1 of the filing period for the May 2022 elections.
A total of six for president, three for vice president, and 14 for senator filed their COCs Friday, October 1, 2021, at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tents in Pasay City.
A total of 18 party-list organizations also filed their list of nominees and their respective Cona.
Aside from Pacquiao, also running for president are Dave Aguila (independent), Dr. Jose C. Montemayor (DPP), Ley Ordenes (independent), Edmundo Rubi (independent) and Lurencio Jun Yulaga (PGRP).
Pacquiao's runningmate, Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza leads the first-day filers for vice president along with Rochelle David (independent) and Alexander Lague (PGRP).
Aside from Hontiveros, who is running for reelection, those who filed COCs for senators were former Senate members, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda and Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero.
Other senatorial aspirants are Lutgardo Barbo (PDP-Laban), Abner Afuang (independent), Bay Maylanie Esmael (independent), Norman Marquez (independent), Bertito Del Mundo (independent), Romeo Plasquita (independent), Samuel Sanchez (independent), Baldomero Falcone (DPP), Phil Delos Reyes (independent), Ziegfred Giron (independent) and Agnes Afable (independent).
Aside from ACT-CIS, other party-list groups that formalized their bids are Agap, Kabayan, An-Waray, Diwa, Pilipinas para sa Pinoy, Alona, Toda, Cancer, People's Volunteer Against illegal Drugs, 1-Pacman, Marino, Ako Tanod, Ang Probinsyano, PBA, Coop-Natcco, Waccaa, and 1-Rider.
In a press briefing, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the number of filers was just about similar to previous elections despite the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"This is exactly the pattern we see everytime we have the filing. The first day really doesn't see a lot of filers. The people, who file on the first day are the people who make it a point to file on the first day," said Jimenez.
"For the most part, most of the candidates tend to cluster towards the end of the period," he added.
He said this may especially be true considering the last two days of the COC filing period fall on days with lucky numbers.
"This is especially true now that the end of the period is actually October 7 and 8, both of which are numbers that look fairly auspicious," he noted.
"We feel that is really a bigger factor than Covid-19," added Jimenez.
Overall, the poll official said Day 1 of the COC filing was peaceful and organized as there were no untoward incidents reported nationwide.
He said local Comelec offices for aspirants for provincial, municipal and city posts also reported smooth operations on Day 1.
"Every office seems to have been very prepared. So these offices were able to function very smoothly," said Jimenez.
He also said that the Covid-19 health and safety protocols were adhered to by everyone.
"Health and safety protocols with the most part were strictly observed within the filing venues. Candidates have, as a general rule, observed house rules and no significant congregations outside the Comelec offices," he related.
Jimenez, however, said that a Comelec staff member in Batangas was found to be positive for Covid-19.
"He was immediately isolated and referred to the DOH, together with the close contacts," said Jimenez. (HDT / VoxPop Philippines)