In the up-coming election it is 12 seats up for grabs and the 12 who gets the most votes in the Republic becomes a senator. That will be a hard race, as it is over 120 candidates. Therefore, I will not look into all of them. I’m hand-picking the most “interesting” of them.
Alan Peter Cayetano, a former senator between 2007 to 2017. He ran as VP candidate under the Nacionalista Party but he was on the ticket with President Rodrigo Duterte. Cayetano came third. Later he was appointed to be the Foreign Secretary, which he were between 2017-18. From 2019-20 he was the Speaker of the House. Cayetano has also been very vocal and in support of closing ABS-CBN network. Therefore, the role he played in that will maybe haunt in the up-coming elections. He is now running as an “independent”.
Baldomero Falcone, representing Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP), the businessman who has claimed in previous races to be the “only one representing the poor”. While having corporations that provide low-cost housing in Manila. He wants to clear the city of squatters and give them a second chance. He tried to run for the Vice-President in 2010 after starting the DPP, but was disqualified for doing so. This is another try, but don’t expect him to succeed.
Richard J. Gordon “Wow Dick” is seeking re-election as senator. The Chief Executive Officer of the Red Cross of the Philippines since 2004. He runs on the ticket for the Bagumbayan–Volunteers for a New Philippines (Bagumbayan–VNP). Professions he is known for is to be a lawyer and a TV-Presenter. Though with the time in office. It is hard to pin-point any significant act in his name.
Norman Mangusin aka “Francis Leo Marcos” (FLM), the online personality is also running for senate, which he also tried to do in 2013 and at that time he was declared a “nuisance candidate”. The candidate have been arrested previously for human trafficking. Also been arrested for illegal selling eyeglasses too. During this year, the SEC had to come with an warning, which says: “Again, the Commission warns the public against FRANCIS LEO MARCOS and his now FILIPINO FAMILY CLUB INTERNATIONAL INC. and/or in dealing with any individuals or group of persons acting or soliciting donations for or on behalf of FRANCIS LEO MARCOS and/or his pretentious organization” (SEC Advisory, 31.08.2021). Seriously, shortly after that he was still able to run for the senate. Shiish.
Joel Apolinario “Pastor”, the former DJ and Technician, the Ponzi-Scheme who promised 30% monthly returns on all investments in Kapa investment scam. When arrested in 2020 the “Pastor” had a Private Army fighting the PNP and SWAT Team to avoid the arrest. Two men in the private died as a result of the skirmishes around Apolinario mansion. He went from a “modern day Moses” to a self-righteous scammer. The SEC wrote this in 2020: “The SEC issued advisories against KAPA as early as March 2017, subsequently a cease and desist order in February 2019 and ultimately an order of revocation of its certificate of incorporation in April 2019” (…) “KAPA was found to have been soliciting investments from the public without the necessary license from the SEC, when it enticed the public to “donate” in exchange for monthly “blessings” equivalent to 30% of their donation for life” (SEC, 24.07. 2020). Who would trust this guy in Congress?
H.R.H. Princess Dayang-Dayang nur Mahal T. Kiram of the Royal House of Sulu is actually going for a Senate seat. There is little else of information to find out about here. Even if someone has registered here under the “Princess Light”. Other than that, it is little to none. Even her personal blog on Facebook isn’t saying anything or launching any sort of campaign there.
Here are some of them. Since there is over 100 senatorial candidates. I will make more of these. However, this is enough for today. Peace.