Highlights of the filing of certificate of candidacy for the 2022 Elections

It has been almost two weeks since the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC)  for the 77 key government positions that are up for grabs in the 2022 Elections. While the finalization of the list of candidates will not be until the end of the substitution period in November 15, let’s take a look back and check the highlights and development of events during the filing of COCs.

Bato Dela Rosa files candidacy for president

Perhaps the most shocking event that happened is the unexpected filing of Senator Bato Dela Rosa for his Presidential bid, just a few hours before the filing of COCs closes. He was accompanied by the Duterte administration’s senatorial slate.

The reason why this is so shocking is that there were no reports that Dela Rosa was even considered as a candidate in consideration by the party that fielded him, PDP-Laban, under the Cusi faction. Regular Filipinos, media men, and political analysts are skeptical of his presidential bid, considering him to be a placeholder or “seat warmer” for Sara Duterte, who was mentioned as the presidential bid of the party by President Duterte himself in an ambush interview in early 2021.

VP Leni Robredo files bid for presidency

In a press conference on October 7, Vice President Leni Robredo finally announced her candidacy for the highest public position on the land. This is after a long waiting period for Robredo’s decision following her nomination from opposition coalition 1Sambayan and the pressure placed on him by ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes’ proclamations that he shall run as president if Robredo chooses not to.

Kiko Pangilinan is announced Robredo’s running mate

There were many speculations before on who Robredo’s running mate would be if she does decide to run for the presidency. Names such as Manny Pacquiao, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, and even Kris Aquino were floating around. Suffice to say, people were shocked when Senator Kiko Pangilinan was announced to be Robredo’s running mate. However, this has been positively received as the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem is considered to be the representation of the true opposition who has openly criticized the Duterte administration’s policies right from the get-go.

Former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella runs for president

There were no initial proclamations that the former spokesperson of President Duterte would be vying for the presidential post, which is why his filing of COC came as a shock to many. However, Abella has stated in an interview with Christian Esguerra of ANC News that he informed President Duterte, who he spoke and defended previously, of his presidential bid.