Presidential aspirants now 27... and counting

MANILA, Philippines - Halfway into the 12-day period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for next year’s polls, a total of 27 presidential hopefuls have formalized their quests for the country’s highest position, but the so-called serious candidates were not among them.

First to file his COC for president was 61-year-old Rigoberto Madera Jr., who claimed to be a teacher-preacher.

Madera not only dreams of becoming the country’s top leader but also to be the president of the United States and then “imperial of the world.”

The presidential aspirants include Gilbert Garcia, 40, a quantum physics instructor; Wendell Lope, 34, taxi driver; Vicente Fabella, 46, businessman; Josefina Murillo, 56, masseuse; Peter Pelegrino, 70, retired teacher; Carmelo Carreon, 63, licensed insurance agent; Oliver Lozano, 69, lawyer and known Marcos loyalist; Vetallano Acosta, 52, financial consultant; Daniel Magtira, 49, barangay chairman; Ernesto Balita, 64, retired teacher; Sultan Min Bilad Villaflor, 52, who calls himself an “estigramist;” Eduardo Fernandez, 58, businessman; Noel Aguire, 46, inventor and computer programmer; Valeriano Reloj, 48, lawyer and John Carlos delos Reyes, 39, an Olongapo City councilor and standard-bearer of lay group Ang Kapatiran Party.

The others are Enrique Sadiosa, 46, businessman; Maria Magdalena Apura, 81, religious missionary; Simeon Paz Jr. 69, preacher; Marcelino Donato Bhen Navarro, 52, inventor and herbalist; David Alimorong, 70, retired soldier; Gregorio Samia, 61; Nancy Megio, 44, housewife; Orlando Abitona, 71; Jose Voltaire Manaois, 60, mining engineer; Rafael Clarete, 57, businessman and Roberto Santisidad, 53.

Two have filed COCs for vice president. They are Ali Alicman, 40, businessman and Kapatiran’s Dominador Chipeco, 66, a corporate lawyer.

Those aspiring to be senators are Victoriano Inte, 55; Micomi-I La-lawquero, 41; Eduardo Sion, 67, businessman; Aeric Bernardino, 44, civil engineer; Alex Poyatas, 60, banker; Rogelio Poblete, 70, businessman; Rummel Piñera, 41, entrepreneur; Arman Manahan, 30, barber; Romeo Maganto, a retired police colonel; incumbent Sen. Lito Lapid, 54, of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.                             – With Evelyn Macairan