Ring Lights, Camera, Action: Showbiz Personalities File COCs

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) began accepting certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 Elections last October 2, 2024, closing on October 8. Over seven days, a wave of showbiz personalities then entered and re-entered the political scene with all the glam and sham imaginable, driving netizens into a frenzy.

The phenomenon raised questions about the qualifications and motivations of these candidates, which we will not be able to answer here and now. However, we do attempt to give a rundown of who’s running where:

Influencers

Filing week was open season for influencers, and leading the charge was Deo “Diwata” Balbuena, owner of the pares chain Diwata Pares. He claims he wants to be the voice for Filipino vendors, being the fourth nominee of Vendors partylist.

Joining him is Rosemarie Tan Pamulaklakin, known as “Rosmar,” who found fame through TikTok and cosmetics. She will be running for 1st District councilor in Manila City.

Political vlogger Marc Santos Gamboa is also trying his luck in politics as he formalized his desire to run for senator, seeking to represent content creators, freelancers, and online sellers in the Upper Chamber.

Eli San Fernando, a self-styled political commentator popular on TikTok, aims to lead his partylist Kamanggagawa to “reclaim” the representation system “bastardized” by elites.

Film, Music, and Television

Veteran actor Phillip Salvador is running for senator under PDP, going up against familiar faces on the administration side: Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, and Tito Sotto. Singer Jimmy Bondoc is also claiming to represent the Duterte brand in his Senate bid.

Film legend Nora Aunor aims for a House seat under the People’s Champ Guardians partylist, surprising many who have not heard what she’s been up to lately.

In Manila, dramatic scenes erupted as supporters of Isko Moreno clamored for his return to City Hall.

Vivamax actors Arron Villaflor and Aljur Abrenica have thrown their hats in the race: Villaflor aims for a board member position in Tarlac’s 2nd District, while Abrenica is running for councilor in Angeles City.

In Quezon City, Arjo Atayde is running for reelection as congressman in the First District, filed alongside his mother Sylvia Sanchez. Aiko Melendez is seeking reelection as councilor in the 5th district.

“It’s Showtime” host Ion Perez is aiming for a councilor post in Concepcion, Tarlac.

Actor Marco Gumabao is running for Camarines Sur 4th District representative.

In Laguna, veteran television journalist and congresswoman Sol Aragones will be up against actor-turned-congressman Dan Fernandez for Governor. Fernandez’s running-mate is That’s Entertainment alum Gem Castillo-Amante.

Tutok To Win Party-list Representative and former TV host Sam Verzosa is running for Manila City Mayor. He is best known for being the founder of the multi-level marketing company, Frontrow.

Ara Mina is running in Pasig City’s 2nd District, up against Angelu de Leon who is under Vico Sotto’s team “Giting ng Pasig”. In the 1st District, beauty queen Shamcey Supsup filed her COC for 1st District councilor.

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A Family Affair

Also among the celebrities who submitted their COCs are Richard Gomez and wife Lucy Torres-Gomez. Richard is running for congressman in Leyte’s 4th District, while Lucy seeks reelection as mayor of Ormoc City.

In Batangas, the mother-and-son tandem of Vilma Santos-Recto and Luis “Lucky” Manzano are looking to take the Governorship of the province once more.

Other showbiz personalities included Abby Viduya (Priscilla Almeda), wife of Jomari Yllana, is also vying for a councilor position in Parañaque 1st District, with her brother-in-law Ryan Yllana seeking a seat in the 2nd District. The second child of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, Yeoj Marquez, is also running for councilor in the 1st District. His brother Jeremy pursues the Solo Parents partylist. Furthermore, Allen Tan, husband of singer Roselle Nava, is running for councilor in the 1st District.

Radio Personalities

On the radio side of things, the May 2025 elections could also give way to a record-setting six (6) Tulfos in the legislative branch of the government, including incumbent Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who could be joined by his brothers Ben and Erwin, both of whom have filed for Senate candidacies.

Also running are Rep. Ralph Tulfo, son of Sen. Raffy, seeking reelection for the 2nd District of Quezon City, along with Jocelyn Tulfo, his wife, who is running for reelection under ACT-CIS party-list. Their sister, Wanda Teo-Tulfo, is the first nominee for Turismo party-list.

Starpower vs People Power

While the list of names here is non-exhaustive, there is certainly no shortage of starpower in the upcoming election. To top it all off, at the last minute, renowned TV host Willie Revillame filed his COC for senator, which drew commentary from thousands of netizens. According to Revillame, he paid a courtesy call to all political sides, including that of VP Inday Sara Duterte: “Sabi lang niya “good luck” kung ano matutulong ko sa’yo sabihin mo lang.”

But the question stares us all in the face: Can these showbiz personalities deliver genuine change or will they simply serve as entertainment?

Vote wisely, Pilipinas.