With the filing of COCs now officially over, we look closer at some of the presidential hopefuls for the upcoming 2022 elections.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) is officially over and now the whole nation has an idea of all the candidates who are vying for multiple posts in the government in the upcoming 2022 elections.

As far as the presidential hopefuls are concerned, the grand total of candidates who filed their COCs is 97. And while the number is three short of 100, it’s actually less than the presidential aspirants in the 2016 elections, which totaled at 130. Do take note, however, that the list of presidential candidates for the 2022 elections is far from final. Substitutions can be made until November 15 and the Commission on Elections won’t be releasing the final list of candidates until December.

While we wait for those, let’s take a brief but closer look at some notable candidates who are vying for the highest position in the government next year (ranked in no particular order).

Fast Facts: A Look at the 8 Presidential Hopefuls

Bato Dela Rosa

For majority of the period allotted for the filing of COCs, the whole country wondered just who will be running in tandem with Senator Bong Go—an aspirant for the vice president position. Everyone’s questions were answered on the last day of filing when his fellow senator, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, filed his COC for president.

Prior to being a senator of the 18th Congress of the Philippines, Bato Dela Rosa was previously the director-general of the Bureau of Corrections, a position he held in 2018. From 2016 to 2018, the senator was the chief of the Philippine National Police. He was also the chief of police in Davao City from 2012 to 2013.

Bongbong Marcos

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is hoping to make a return to Philippine politics, filing his COC for president under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas political party. While he currently holds no position in the government, Bongbong Marcos is a former senator of the country from 2010 to 2016.

He also had two terms as the Ilocos Norte second district representative. He became a congressman for the first time from 1992 to 1995, followed by a second term that lasted from 2007 to 2010. Bongbong Marcos, likewise, held local government positions in Ilocos Norte. He was vice-governor from 1981 to 1983 and governor of the province from 1983 to 1998.

Ernie Abella

Many presidential hopefuls for next year’s elections are running under political parties. A select few, however, opted to run as independent candidates. One such candidate is Ernesto “Ernie” Abella.

Ernie Abella recently resigned from his post in the Department of Foreign Affairs. From 2017 until this year, he was the Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research of the department. He is also a former presidential spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte—a position he held from 2016 to 2017.

Isko Moreno

Born Francisco Domagoso, the incumbent mayor of the City of Manila is better known as Isko Moreno. Isko Moreno is running for president next year under the Aksyon Demokratiko political party. His running mate is Dr. Willie Ong.

Before becoming the mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno was the city’s vice mayor twice. His first term was from 2007 to 2013, while his second term lasted from 2013 to 2016. He was also a councilor of the city’s first district from 1998 to 2007.

Leni Robredo

After weeks and months of speculation, the current vice president of the Philippines announced her intention to run for the presidency on the second to the last day of COC filing. Much to the surprise and delight of many, Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo chose to run as an independent candidate.

Though she is running as an independent candidate, Vice President Robredo has chosen Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as her running mate. Prior to being elected as vice president of the country in 2016, Leni Robredo held a seat at the House of Representatives as the third district representative of Camarines Sur.

Leody De Guzman

Labor leader Leody De Guzman filed his COC for presidency on Wednesday under the Partido Lakas ng Masa. The presidential aspirant is the current chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino.

Leody De Guzman previously ran for senator in the 2019 elections and placed 38th overall. He has been championing workers’ rights as a member of the Regional Executive Council of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and as a union leader of Aris Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao

Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is hoping to go from being The People’s Champ to being The People’s President as he vies for the highest position in the government next year. Among the presidential hopefuls on this list, he was the first one to file his COC on October 1.

The recently-retired boxing legend is currently a senator of the country. Prior to being elected as senator of the 18th congress, he was elected as the representative of Sarangani in 2010. He held the position until 2016.

Ping Lacson

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson long announced his intention to run for the presidency, which he formalized by filing his COC along with his running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

Ping Lacson is probably best known for being a long-time senator of the country. He held the position from 2001 to 2013 and then from 2016 up to the present. Prior to being a senator, he was the chief of the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001.

And there you have it! Those are just eight of the 97 presidential hopefuls aiming to win the elections next year. Will there be any changes in the list? We will have to wait and see until December.

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