THE road to the 2025 elections officially starts as senatorial hopefuls and partylist groups hit the ground running, with campaign activities kicking off Tuesday, February 11. 

Over the next three months, candidates will vie for public support through rallies, speeches, and debates.

This stretch, lasting until May 10, 2025, marks the start of full-scale campaigning for 65 senate aspirants and 156 partylist groups, now officially recognized as candidates. 

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ramped up efforts to enforce election rules and curb illegal campaign activities, including regulating election propaganda in the mass media. 

The public remains particularly vigilant in monitoring candidates’ campaign expenditures. According to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, elective candidates for 2025 have already spent a total of PHP4 billion for ads exposure on television and radio stations across the country. This doesn’t include yet the amount to be spent on social media campaigns. 

Unbeknownst to many, a 2009 Supreme Court decision permits early campaigning in the Philippines. Under this ruling, aspirants are only bound by campaign rules once the official period starts, allowing them to engage with voters ahead of time without facing sanctions.

Aspirants from major political parties and coalitions are expected to begin their activities across the nation. 

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas

The administration-backed coalition, Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, comprises major political parties aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

They are set to commence their campaign in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte—the stronghold of the Marcos family. 

President Marcos Jr. is scheduled to attend the launch at the Centennial Arena. Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco, the coalition’s campaign manager, emphasized the significance of the event. 

“This campaign is bigger than politics. It’s about a Bagong Pilipinas—a new Philippines that every Filipino can see, feel, and take pride in,” he said. 

“Ilocos Norte has always been a cradle of transformative leadership, and from here, we are sending a message: to continue delivering results for every Filipino.”

The candidates for this coalition are as follows:

1. Benhur Abalos

• Former Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
• Affiliated with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)

2. Abigail “Abby” Binay

• Mayor of Makati City
• Member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)

3. Pia Cayetano

• Incumbent senator seeking reelection
• Associated with the Nacionalista Party

4. Imee Marcos

• Incumbent senator seeking reelection
• Affiliated with the Nacionalista Party

5. Lito Lapid

• Incumbent senator
• Member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)

6. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
   • Former senator
   • Running as an Independent candidate
7. Manny Pacquiao
   • Former Senator
   • Affiliated with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)

8. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
   • Incumbent Senator seeking re-election
   • Member of Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas–CMD)

9. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
   • Former Senate President
   • Affiliated with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)

10. Francis Tolentino
    • Incumbent Senator seeking re-election
    • Associated with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)

11. Erwin Tulfo
    • ACT-CIS Party-list Representative
    • Member of Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas–CMD)

12. Camille Villar
    • House Deputy Speaker
    • Affiliated with the Nacionalista Party

PDP

Under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s leadership, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) has been a significant force in Philippine politics, advocating for federalism and a strong stance on law and order. 

In April 2024, the party officially dropped “Laban” from its name, reverting to its original designation. 

PDP plans to commence its proclamation rally on February 13, two days after the campaign season begins, with only senatorial aspirant Apollo Quiboloy holding his own rally on February 11.

The following are their set of candidates:

1. Apollo Quiboloy
   • Founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group
   • Currently facing legal challenges
     
2. Philip Salvador
   • Former action star
     
3. Raul Lambino
   • Lawyer and former administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
     
4. Rodante Marcoleta
   • Member of the House of Representatives
     
5. Bong Go
   • Incumbent senator
   • Former Special Assistant to President Duterte
     
6. Bato Dela Rosa
   • former Philippine National Police chief
   • Led the Duterte’s administration Anti-drug campaign
     
7. Jimmy Bondoc
   • Filipino musician and lawyer 
   • Member of the Board of Directors of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
     
8. Jayvee Hinlo
   • former undersecretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

Makabayan Coalition

The Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) is comprised of groups such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and Kabataan Party-list, among others. 

The coalition advocates for national democracy, social justice, and human rights.

They will start their campaign at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila City, with candidates employing a house-to-house campaign approach. 

They feature a diverse group of candidates representing various sectors:

1. Jerome Adonis
   • Labor leader and Secretary-General of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)
     
2. Jocelyn “Alyn” Andamo
   • Nurse leader
   • Secretary-General of the Filipino Nurses United
     
3. Ronnel Arambulo
   • Fisherfolk leader associated with Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA)
     
4. Arlene Brosas
   • Incumbent Gabriela Women’s Party Representative
     
5. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño
   • Former Bayan Muna Party-list Representative
     
6. France Castro
   • ACT Teachers Party-list Representative
7. Mimi Doringo
   • Urban poor leader from Kadamay

8. Mody Floranda
   • Transport leader and President of PISTON
     
9. Amirah Lidasan
   • Moro leader and human rights advocate
     
10. Liza Masa
    • Former Gabriela Women’s Party Representative
      
11. Danilo Ramos
    • Peasant leader and Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)

Other candidates for senatorial bids

Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino are also in the run for senatorial seats. Both UP alumni, they spent the first hours of the campaign period by attending the Holy Mass inside the university chapel. 

Pangilinan is an Liberal Party member, while Bam Aquino heads the new political party Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP). 

Their backgrounds are as follow:

1. Kiko Pangilinan
   • Served multiple terms as a senator
   • Held position as Senate Majority leader
   • Former presidential assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization
     
2. Bam Aquino
   • Social entrepreneur
   • Former senator

COMELEC campaign regulations

COMELEC tightens its grip on regulating campaign activities and rooting out violations.

Local candidates, including those running for the House of Representatives, have a designated campaign period from March 28 to May 10, 2025, totaling 45 days. Campaigning is prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (the day before Election Day), and May 12 (Election Day). 

COMELEC has issued a reminder to national candidates to adhere strictly to regulations concerning campaign materials. 

For example, Chairperson George Erwin Garcia emphasized that the poll body will enforce stricter measures against materials that exceed size limitations or are posted in unauthorized public spaces.

They specified that election pamphlets, leaflets, and stickers must not exceed 8.5 inches by 14 inches, while posters and standees are limited to 2 feet by 3 feet. 

Streamers for campaign rallies should be no larger than 3 feet by 8 feet. These materials can be displayed starting five days before a rally and must be removed within 24 hours after the event.

They also have strict measures on campaigning on Broadcast media. Only 60-minute airtime will be allowed for television while radio ads would have over 90-minute airtime. These limits apply regardless of whether the airtime is purchased or donated.

On the discussion of vote-buying, Comelec relaunched its committee of Kontra-Bigay, a taskforce committed to monitor, investigate, and prosecute individuals and groups involved in these illegal activities. 

The committee collaborates with various agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Moreover, the Comelec Resolution No. 1099 prohibits candidates and their family members from distributing donations. They’re also restricted from appointing or utilizing special policemen, confidential agents, or individuals performing similar roles. 

Restrictions will also be in place concerning the transfer, hiring, and promotion of government employees, while a spending ban will be enforced during this period.

The agency’s Oplan Baklas is also in place, aimed at removing campaign materials that violate election laws, such as those exceeding the prescribed size limits or placed in unauthorized locations.

Candidates who fail to follow these measures will be issued with a showcause order to comply with the rules; if they don’t, they might face criminal charges, charges of election offenses, and potential disqualification from the race.

Read more PH election 2025 stories for you:

• OCTA Research released Filipinos’ preferred senators for 2025
• Who’s who in the Marcos administration 2025 ticket so far?
• Gerry Lirio
• 2025 midterm poll voter registration starts 
• Campaign period for 2023 barangay, SK elections begins