MANILA - A diverse array of party-list groups took center stage on the fifth day of certificate filing for the May 2025 elections, showcasing a wide spectrum of political affiliations and advocacies. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recorded filings from 23 groups at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Saturday, signaling a robust start to the electoral season.
According to Philippines News Agency, among the filers were notable groups such as Mamamayang Liberal (ML), with former senator Leila de Lima as their lead nominee, and others including TGP party-list, Maharlikang Pilipino Party, and Kabataan. Additional participants like Aktibong Kaagapay and Construction Worker's Solidarity (CWS) highlight the varied interests represented. Other groups like Kaunlad Pinoy, 1-Pacman, and Toda Aksyon also made their political intentions official, alongside entities focused on specific community concerns such as Ako Bisaya, KM Ngayon Na, Solo Parents, ASAP Na, Ayuda para sa may Kapansanan, 4P's, and Pilipinas Babangon Muli.
Comelec chair George Garcia provided insights into the proceedings, noting that the total number of party-lists expected to file by the end of the period is 160. He emphasized the anticipation of a surge in filings in the concluding days. "Malaki-laki pa ang hinihintay nating magpa-file. (We are still waiting for more [party-lists] to file)," Garcia remarked at a press conference.
The election body is also gearing up for the final days of the filing period with a contingency plan to manage the expected influx of candidates at the Manila Hotel Tent City on the last two days. "Palagi ang pagdagsa ng mga kandidato ay nangyayari sa huling araw ng filing (The influx of candidates usually happens on the last day of the filing)," Garcia added.
As the election season heats up, the Comelec reported a total of 11,393 aspirants indicating their intention to run in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections as of the evening of October 4. The data reflects a significant male majority among the candidates, with 8,993 male and 2,400 female aspirants. The elections will determine more than 18,300 positions across national and local levels, including in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliament elections.