In the Philippines, Politics is also celebrated

The deadline for the filing of Certificates of Candidacies has already expired. Comelec says “we have final tally of 99 candidates for president, 20 for vice president, and 158 for senator.”

But a day before the end of filing, more and more politicians, and political aspirants, are trooping over at the national headquarters of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila with their family and supporters backing and cheering for them.

For most of them, bringing the whole baranggay and bands to cheer them are necessary. It's to depict a very jovial atmosphere or to just boast around of who they are and who they are with? Some, can be likened to circus clowns if you ask me.

Early Monday morning, Nacionalista Party’s standard-bearer Senator Manny Villar and Senator Loren Legarda, together with their senatorial slate Senator Pia Cayetano, Representative Bongbong Marcos, Former Labor Undersecretary Toots Ople, Col. Ariel Querubin, Adel Tamano, Gwendolyn Pimentel, and Ramon Mitra, had mass at the Manila Cathedral, followed by their filing of CoCs.


Ousted President Joseph Ejercito Estrata and his running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay led Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino slate with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Joey de Venecia III.


Brother Eddie Villanueva, of Bangon Pilipinas Movement, also filed his certificate of candidacy on the same day.


Tito Sotto of the Nationalist People’s Coalition also filed his CoC to run for Senator, vowing to continue his fight against illegal drugs. With him is his wife actress Helen Gamboa and daughter-actresses, and Senator Gringo Honasan and election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal.


On the last day of filing, Gibo Teodoro-Edu Manzano of Lakas-Kampi and Richard Gordon-Bayani Fernando filed their CoCs as President and Vice Presidents respectively. Also, Senator Jamby Madrigal and Businessman Mark Jimenez filed to run for the Presidency.


Last week, Liberal Party’s standard-bearers Senator Noynoy Aquino and Senator Mar Roxas filed their CoCs with their senatorial slate. Presidential aspirant and environmentalist Nicanor Perlas also filed his candidacy.