The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has revealed the initial list of those who are vying for national and local positions in the coming May elections.
According to the poll body, the list is still subject for verification and editing as the outcome of the various disqualification cases filed against presidential, vice presidential and senatorial bets could still trim the number of candidates.
On the list are eight people who are seeking the presidency—almost six percent of the 130 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy last October.
Poe and Duterte are both facing disqualification cases while Valencia has a pending motion for reconsideration before the full commission to appeal the petition declaring him as a nuisance bet.
Earlier reports stated that Mendoza, who is allied with the PMP, was fielded to supposedly secure a slot for Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s third run for the presidential race. However, the rumors were quelled after Estrada filed his COC for a second term as the mayor of the country’s capital.
Meanwhile, there are six people running for vice president: Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gringo Honasan, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Antonio Trillanes IV and Congresswoman Leni Robredo.
There are 52 senatorial aspirants while there are 120 party-list groups seeking seats in the House of Representatives.
The poll body advised those who have corrections in their names to communicate the election officer concerned until January 21.