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Day 6 Of COC Filing: From Senators To Local Officials, Political Heavyweights Make Their Move
Photo credit: Koko Pimentel Facebook
The buzz and excitement continue as the sixth day of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filing unfolds, with familiar faces and new contenders throwing their hats into the political ring for the upcoming 2025 elections. Let’s take a quick tour of the latest updates.

Senator Koko Pimentel Shifts Gears

Senator Koko Pimentel, who is on his final term as a senator, is now eyeing a different seat. He officially filed his COC for the 1st congressional district of Marikina under the Nacionalista Party. In a surprising twist, he’ll be facing no less than Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro, who had just submitted his COC a day earlier on October 5.

Jimmy Bondoc Takes a Shot at the Senate

Singer and lawyer Jimmy Bondoc also made headlines as he filed his COC for a senatorial seat under PDP Laban. Bondoc arrived at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) accompanied by Senator Robin Padilla and actress Vivian Velez, showing that he’s bringing his showbiz support along for the ride.

In Sulu: Familiar Names Seek Familiar Posts

Meanwhile, former Congressman Munir Arbison has also filed his COC, hoping to reclaim his position as the representative of Sulu’s 2nd district. He remains a dominant figure in Sulu politics, with only two of his fellow board member aspirants filing alongside him so far.

In Indanan, Sulu, Albakil “Thong” Jikiri filed his COC to run as mayor, seeking to succeed his term-limited brother, Hermot Jikiri. With this move, the Jikiri political dynasty is looking to maintain its stronghold in the municipality.

Lakas-CMD’s COC Filing in Tapul

Lakas-CMD party candidates in Tapul were early birds this week, officially filing their COCs on October 3. Incumbent Mayor Mustafa Burahan and Vice Mayor Nadzgar Kinong are leading the charge alongside their eight-member slate for the Sangguniang Bayan.

Maguindanao’s Mangudadatu Clan on the Move

Former TESDA Secretary and Al Ittihad-UKB Party President Datu Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu is eyeing the governorship of Maguindanao del Norte. He filed his COC on October 4 at the COMELEC’s MDN Satellite Office in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, drawing a sizable crowd of supporters. The Mangudadatus are once again flexing their political muscles in the region, ensuring their presence in the 2025 elections.

UBJP Party Asserts Control in Cotabato City

Over in Cotabato City, UBJP Party candidates led by incumbent Mayor Bruce Matabalao submitted their COCs today. Matabalao is running for re-election, while his party’s vice-mayoral bet is Kapitan Johair Madag. Alongside them is a full lineup of councilor candidates, including familiar names like Hon. Popoy Formento and Atty. Anwar Malang.

Team Cotabato F1rst Draws Thousands in Cotabato City

It was a festive and overwhelming scene in Cotabato City as more than 15,000 supporters joined the COC filing of Team Cotabato F1rst under the Siap Party on October 3. Vice Mayor Johari Butch Abo, who is gunning for the mayoralty, was accompanied by his vice-mayoral tandem, Barangay Mother Kalanganan Chairman Datu Bimbo Ayunan. The team expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and vowed to deliver equitable service for Cotabateños if elected.

SIAP Party Makes Its Mark in Pahamuddin

In Pahamuddin, BARMM, mayoral candidate Nimbo G. Sinarimbo and vice-mayoral candidate Esmael “Tho” Talusan led their slate in filing COCs under the SIAP Party banner. The move was bolstered by strong endorsements from the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC) and Lakas-CMD, showing a united front in their push for leadership in the municipality.

Erwin Tulfo’s Senatorial Bid

Former DSWD Secretary and ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo filed his COC under the LAKAS-CMD party, marking his entry into the senatorial race. It’s a big move that’s expected to shake up the race, given his extensive background in public service and media.

Interestingly, Erwin won’t be the only Tulfo running for a Senate seat. His brother, Ben Tulfo, had already filed his COC earlier, hinting at a possible Tulfo tandem in the Senate.

Gatchalian Family Joins the Scene

It’s not just the Tulfo family making headlines. Kenneth Ting Gatchalian, the brother of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, also filed his COC, but he’s eyeing a different post. Kenneth is running for congressman in Valenzuela City’s 1st District. With the Gatchalian family being a staple in Valenzuela politics, his candidacy brings continuity to the family’s strong presence in local governance.

Ralph Tulfo’s Re-election Bid

Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo also made his re-election bid official. He’s aiming for a second term in office and had quite the entourage when he filed his COC. Ralph was joined by his proud parents—Senator Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo—along with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. With family support and the backing of a prominent local figure like Mayor Belmonte, Ralph’s campaign is set to start

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