LIST: The people gunning for the Senate in 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The filing of candidacy in October for the 2025 elections is fast approaching, and politicians seeking to be part of the Senate have begun announcing their intention to run.

Rappler compiles a list of names whose candidacies were confirmed by them, by their relatives, or by their party mates.

Also part of this running list are politicians who are keeping their cards close to their chest, but whose names are being floated for the 2025 senatorial polls.

(Updated as of Friday, July 26)

Candidacy confirmed by them, by their family, or by their party

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas has formally signed an alliance with Lakas, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and National Unity Party (NUP), but has yet to unveil the administration slate. Nacionalista Party is also set to join the coalition, as per one ranking member, but has yet to ink an agreement with PFP.

Name	Party	Occupation	Notes
Lito Lapid	NPC	Senator, film and television actor	Up for reelection in 2025; confirmed candidacy in April
Imee Marcos	Nacionalista	Senator	Up for reelection in 2025; confirmed candidacy in June
Manny Pacquiao	PFP	Former senator, boxer	Confirmed candidacy in May
Ariel Querubin	Nacionalista	Retired soldier	Confirmed candidacy in July
Bong Revilla	Lakas	Senator	Up for reelection in 2025; candidacy confirmed by son in May
Camille Villar	Nacionalista	House Deputy Speaker	Candidacy confirmed by parents in July

Other names from smaller parties, including those considered to be the opposition, have also thrown their hat into the ring.

Declined to confirm their candidacies announced by other people

Name	Party	Occupation	Notes
Chel Diokno	Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino	Human rights lawyer	Candidacy announced by political ally in February, but later said he was still weighing his options
Paolo Duterte	Hugpong ng Pagbabago	Davao City 1st District Representative	Candidacy announced by sister in June; his father said in July not to believe the sister’s statement
Rodrigo Duterte	PDP	Former president	Candidacy announced by daughter in June, but Duterte later denied running
Sebastian Duterte	Hugpong ng Pagbabago	Davao City Mayor	Candidacy announced by sister in June; his father said in July not to believe the sister’s statement
Kiko Pangilinan	Liberal Party	Former senator	Candidacy confirmed by party mate in February, although he said in March that he has yet to make a final decision

Other potential aspirants

Name	Party	Occupation	Notes
Benhur Abalos	PFP	Interior Secretary	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Abby Binay	NPC	Makati Mayor	NPC said in May it was eyeing Binay as among its senatorial candidates for 2025
Richard Gomez	PFP	House Assistant Majority Leader	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Richard Gordon	Bagumbayan–VNP	Former senator	Name was included in pre-election surveys; he said in December 2025 Senate bid was “on the table”
Gringo Honasan	Reform PH	Former senator	Honasan said in June he was 70% sure about joining the race
Ping Lacson	Independent	Former senator	Lacson said in June he was mulling a Senate comeback
Isko Moreno	Aksyon	Former Manila mayor	His name made it to the Magic 12 of some pre-election surveys, but he is also being rumored to run for Manila mayor
Willie Ong	Aksyon	Medical doctor	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Rufus Rodriguez	Centrist Democratic Party	Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Yedda Romualdez	Lakas	Party-list lawmaker	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Vicente “Tito” Sotto III	NPC	Former Senate president	He said in May he was 90% sure about joining the race
Gilbert Teodoro	People’s Reform Party	Defense Secretary	Name was floated by political strategist Lito Banayo in May
Ben Tulfo	N/A	Broadcaster	His name made it to the Magic 12 of some pre-election surveys; Tulfo did not give a categorical answer about his plans as of July
Erwin Tulfo	ACT-CIS	House Deputy Majority Leader	Consistently topping pre-election surveys, but said in July he “has no plans yet” to run for senator

– with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com