5-way race for president, 6 vie for VP spot

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday released the certified list of candidates for president and vice president.

The list showed a five-way race for president and a six-way race for vice president.

The final candidates for president are Vice President Jejomar Binay (United Nationalist Alliance), Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago (People's Reform Party), Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan), Sen. Grace Poe (Independent), former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II (Liberal Party) and Rep. Roy Señeres (Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka Workers and Peasants Party).

However, Señeres withdrew from the presidential race on Friday afternoon upon the advice of his doctors. His representatives said that he has diabetes, according to a report from the STAR.

Rep. Roy Seneres' representative says he is withdrawing from presidential race due to diabetes. @PhilippineStar pic.twitter.com/woUwSq9rk3

— sheila crisostomo (@shecrisostomo) February 5, 2016

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino Rommel Mendoza recently withdrew from the presidential race and decided to support Binay instead.

Meanwhile, a temporary restraining order was issued against the Comelec ruling to disqualify Por from the presidential race.

Six candidates also qualified for the vice presidency which are Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Independent), Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero (Independent), Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan II (United Nationalist Alliance) Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Independent), Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo (Liberal Party) and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV (Independent).

The poll body is set to begin the printing of ballots on February 8.