Ex-DND chief Norberto Gonzales aims for Senate this time

MANILA, Philippines — Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales files a certificate of candidacy (COC) hoping to bag a seat in the Senate, two years after his failed attempt for presidency. 

Gonzales filed his certificate on Monday, October 7, during the second to the last day for the filing of candidacies for the 2025 midterm elections. 

In his speech upon filing candidacy, he said he wanted to revisit the National Defense Act and the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act. 

He previously ran as a presidential aspirant during the 2022 elections, losing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He bagged 90,656 votes placing 9th out of the 10 candidates. 

Defense stint

Gonzales was appointed as national security adviser by former President Gloria Arroyo in February 2005.

He was afterward appointed as the defense secretary in 2007 where he served for a month and was replaced by current defense chief Gilberto Teodoro.

After Teodoro's announcement of his presidential candidacy in 2009 for the 2010 elections, Gonzales served as the secretary of national defense again from November 2009 until June 30, 2010.