Reelectionists, former politicians, and well-known personalities are seeking the three-year term as members of the 19th Congress.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Deputy Speaker Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II of Mandaluyong, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Salceda of Albay, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Eric Go Yap, Davao Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez are among the members of the current Congress who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) to reclaim their congressional post.
Banking on his “proven track record and strong commitment to public service,” Velasco is seeking reelection for another three-year term as representative of the lone district of Marinduque province in Congress.
Velasco said he has more work to do in the House of Representatives where he has been serving two consecutive terms for over five years now.
Gonzales, for his part, filed his COC for reelection as representative of the Lone District of Mandaluyong City.
Gonzales, a veteran House leader, said providing better health-care system and job generation for his constituents are among his top priorities in the incoming 19th Congress.
“I will relentlessly pursue the continuity of my compassionate and responsive programs to the needs of my constituents and betterment of Mandaluyong City in this time of Covid-19 pandemic,” Gonzales, who served as Majority Leader during the 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th Congresses.
Gonzales served as representative of Mandaluyong City during 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th and the present 18th Congress.
Gonzales, a lawyer from the Ateneo de Manila University, also expressed his appreciation to the people of Mandaluyong City for the trust and confidence they have been extending him in his almost three decades in public service.
Also, seeking for reelection are Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter “Onyx” Crisologo (first district); Precious Hipolito-Castelo (second district); and Allan Reyes (third district). The alliance is also fielding Councilor Marvin Rillo as congressional candidate for the fourth district of Quezon City; Rose Lin as congressional candidate for the fifth district; and former Rep. Bingbong Crisologo as congressional candidate for the sixth district.
Meanwhile, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has expressed strong support behind former President and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to run again for Congress in next year’s election. Mrs. Arroyo filed her COC for representative of the Second District of Pampanga.
Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri also submitted his COC for Bukidnon’s Third District.
Well-known personalities have also filed their COCs to seek congressional seats. These personalities include Richard Gomez for Leyte, Richard Yap for Cebu and Anjo Yllana for Camarines Sur.
Meanwhile, as of October 5, 71 party-list groups representing different sectors have also filed their COCs for next year’s elections.