On October 1, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially commenced the election season, with more than 18,200 elective positions to be filled. While familiar names filed for reelection, social media has been abuzz with netizens reacting to celebrities and influencers who have filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC). As of writing, here are the personalities who will try their luck in the 2025 midterm elections:

Marco Gumabao

Marco Gumabao is an actor and model known for his roles in the TV series Los Bastardos (2018-2019), Just a Stranger (2019) with Anne Curtis, and Revirginized (2021) with Sharon Cuneta. He’s also actress Cristine Reyes’ current partner.

Running for: Congressman in the Fourth District of Camarines Sur

Ion Perez

Vice Ganda’s husband, Benigno Dungo Perez, popularly known as Ion Perez, appears on It’s Showtime as a regular host. His claim to fame started when he became Kuya Escort of the noontime show’s Miss Q and A segment.

Running for: Councilor in Concepcion, Tarlac

Rosmar Tan

Rosmarie Tan-Pamulaklakin, also known as Rosmar, is a social media personality or vlogger, who has over 15.8 million followers on TikTok. She’s also an entrepreneur and CEO of Rosmar International, a cosmetics, skincare, and beauty brand.

Running for: Councilor in the First District of Manila

Arjo Atayde

Actor Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde serves as a congressman in the first district of Quezon City. Before becoming a politician in 2022, Atayde was an ABS CBN actor and appeared in several shows. He’s also actress Maine Mendoza’s husband.

Running for: Reelection as a congressman in the first district of Quezon City

Enzo Pineda

Enzo Pineda is a GMA actor who won First Prince in the fifth season of reality competition StarStruck. He is also a Marine reservist under the Philippine Navy.

Running for: Councilor in the fifth district of Quezon City

Michael Pacquiao

At age 22, Michael Pacquiao is ready to follow in the political footsteps of his father, former professional boxer and Philippine senator, Manny Pacquiao. He also gained popularity for his rap music.

Running for: Councilor in General Santos City

Lito Lapid

Manuel “Lito” Mercado Lapid has been a serving Senator since 2019. Before his career in politics, Lapid was a popular action star with a filmography that began in 1968.

Running for: Reelection as Senator

Deo Balbuena (Diwata)

Deo Jarito Balbuena, known as Diwata, gained popularity on TikTok for their viral food business, Diwata Pares Overload. The TikTok page has over 600,000 followers.

Running for: The fourth nominee for Vendors Party-list

Vilma Santos Recto

“Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos-Recto is an actress and former politician. She first entered politics when she served as Lipa City’s mayor for three consecutive terms (1998-2003) and the Governor of Batangas from 2007 to 2016.

Running for: Governor of Batangas

Luis Manzano

Luis Manzano is a comedian, actor, and TV host. He is the son of Vilma Santos-Recto and Edu Manzano and is married to actress Jessie Mendiola.

Running for: Vice Governor of Batangas

Tito Sotto

Vicente Castelo Sotto III, or Tito Sotto, is a TV personality and former Senator of the Philippines. He was first elected as a Senator in 1992.

Running for: Senator

Willie Ong

After trying his luck in the 2019 and 2022 elections, medical doctor and social media personality Willie Ong is running as a Senator in the midterm elections. He recently gained more online buzz after his shocking announcement: he was diagnosed with sarcoma and neutropenic sepsis. Despite his medical condition, he’s still adamant about winning the people’s favor.

Running for: Senator

Jimmy Bondoc

James Patrick Romero Bondoc is a Filipino musician and lawyer best known for his hit song “Let Me Be The One,” which was released in 2004. In 2021, he became a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Running for: Senator

Willie Revillame

Wilfredo Buendia Revillame, professionally known as Willie Revillame, is a comedian and TV show host. He’s known for hosting Pinoy noontime shows Wowowee, Tanghali Bayan, and Wowowin.

Running for: Senator

Nora Aunor

Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, professionally known as Nora Aunor, is a seasoned Filipina actress known for her roles in Himala (1982), Ikaw Ay Akin (1978), and Dementia (1986).

Running for: The second nominee of People’s Champ party-list

Aljur Abrenica

Aljur Mikael Guiang Abrenica, or Aljur Abrenica, is an actor, model, and singer who gained popularity after joining the fourth season of StarStruck. He is the former husband of actress Kylie Padilla.

Running for: Councilor in Angeles, Pampanga

Jeric Teng

Jeric Allen Uy Teng is a basketball player. He last played for the Quezon Huskers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Running for: Councilor in Gumaca, Quezon Province

Marc Gamboa

Marc Gamboa is a social media vlogger known for his YouTube channel, “Models of Manila TV. ” He aims to create an office that would monitor fake news.

Running for: Senator

Eli San Fernando

Eli San Fernando is a social media personality known for his snappy political videos. He has over 850,000 followers on TikTok.

Running for: First Nominee of Kamanggagawa party-list

Abby Viduya

Abby Viduya is a former actress and the wife of actor Jomari Yllana. She’s best known for her roles in Sulta (1999), West Side Avenue (2001), and Syota ng Bayan (2001).

Running for: Councilor in the first district of Parañaque

James Yap

James Yap is a professional basketball player and Kris Aquino’s former partner. He is currently a councilor in the first district of San Juan.

Running for: Reelection as councilor in the first district of San Juan

Ejay Falcon

Ejay Falcon is an actor and model who first gained popularity after winning Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus in 2008. He’s currently the vice governor of Oriental Mindoro.

Running for: Congressman in the first district of Oriental Mindoro

Neil Coleta

Neil Coleta is an actor and TV host. He’s known for his roles in 100 Days to Heaven (2011), The Killer Bride (2019-2020), and Batang Quiapo (since 2023).

Running for: Councilor in Dasmariñas, Cavite

The COC filing period ended on October 8, 2024.

Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube, to be the first to know about the latest news and coolest trends!