Candidates in the 2013 Philippine Senate election explained

These are the people who, at one time or another, had been considered, announced, declined or withdrew his or her candidacy in the 2013 Philippine Senate election.

Qualified candidates

These are the commission's approved candidates:^[1]

width=15px	!	width=160px	Nominee !	width=120px	Coalition !	width=120px colspan=2	Party !	width=250px	Prior elected position(s) !	width=60px	Gender !	width=140px	Town/city registered
1	Samson Alcantara			Social Justice Society		Male	Quezon City
2	Sonny Angara	Team PNoy		Representative from Aurora's Lone District, 2004–2013	Male	Baler, Aurora
3	Bam Aquino	Team PNoy			Male	Quezon City
4	Greco Belgica			Councilor from Manila's 6th district, 2004–2007	Male	Manila
5	Nancy Binay	UNA			Female	Makati
6	Teodoro Casiño	Makabayan		Representative of Bayan Muna party list, 2004–2013	Male
7	Alan Peter Cayetano	Team PNoy		Councilor from Taguig's 1st district, 1992–1995 Representative from Taguig's 1st & Pateros's District, 1998–2007 Senator of the Philippines, 2007–2013	Male	Taguig
8	Tingting Cojuangco	UNA		Governor of Tarlac, 1992–1998	Female	Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
9	Rizalito David				Male	Makati
10	John Carlos de los Reyes			Councilor of Olongapo, 1995–1998, 2007–2010	Male	Olongapo
11	JV Ejercito	UNA		Mayor of San Juan, 2001–2010 Representative from San Juan, 2010–2013	Male	San Juan
12	Jack Enrile	UNA		Representative from Cagayan's First District, 1998–2007, 2010–2013	Male	Aparri, Cagayan
13	Francis Escudero	Team PNoy		Representative from Sorsogon's 1st District, 1998–2007 Senator of the Philippines, 2007–2013	Male	Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
14	Baldomero Falcone				Male	Marikina
15	Richard J. Gordon	UNA		Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Zambales, 1971–1972 Mayor of Olongapo, 1980–1986 Senator of the Philippines, 2004–2010	Male	Olongapo
16	Edward Hagedorn			Mayor of Puerto Princesa, 1992–2001, 2002–2013	Male	Puerto Princesa
17	Gregorio Honasan	UNA		Senator of the Philippines, 1995–2004, 2007–2013	Male	Marikina
18	Risa Hontiveros	Team PNoy		Representative of Akbayan party list, 2004–2010	Female	Quezon City
19	Loren Legarda	Team PNoy		Senator of the Philippines, 1998–2004, 2007–2013	Female	Malabon
20	Marwil Llasos			Sangguniang Kabataan chairman of Tagas, Daraga, Albay, 1995–1996	Male	Daraga, Albay
21	Ernesto Maceda	UNA		Councilor of Manila, 1959–1966 Senator of the Philippines, 1971–1972, 1987–1998	Male	Manila
22	Jamby Madrigal	Team PNoy		Senator of the Philippines, 2004–2010	Female	Quezon City
23	Mitos Magsaysay	UNA		Representative from Zambales' First District, 2005–2013	Female	Olongapo
24	Ramon Magsaysay Jr.	Team PNoy		Representative from Zambales' Lone District, 1965–1969 Senator of the Philippines, 1995–2007	Male	Muntinlupa
25	Ramon Montaño				Male	San Jose, Negros Oriental
26	Ricardo Penson				Male	Pasig
27	Koko Pimentel	Team PNoy		Senator of the Philippines, 2007–2013	Male	Cagayan de Oro
28	Grace Poe	Team PNoy			Female	San Juan
29	Christian Señeres			Representative of BUHAY Partylist, 2003–2007	Male	Las Piñas
30	Antonio Trillanes	Team PNoy		Senator of the Philippines, 2007–2013	Male	Caloocan
31	Eddie Villanueva				Male	Bocaue, Bulacan
32	Cynthia Villar	Team PNoy		Representative from Las Piñas' Lone District, 2001–2010	Female	Las Piñas
33	Migz Zubiri	UNA		Representative from Bukidnon's Third District, 1998–2007 Senator of the Philippines, 2007–2011	Male	Maramag, Bukidnon

Disqualified candidates/Withdrawn

The following individuals have submitted their certificates of candidacies to the Commission on Elections main office at Intramuros, Manila,^[2] but were not included in the official list of candidates.

Candidate	Party
Anicio Escosura
Daniel Magtira
Aeric Bernardino
Melchor Chavez
Salam Ed Lacanluisong Tagean, Sr.
Patrocinio Cailing
Juanito Donato
Oliver Lozano
Remelyn Ajel
Valeriano Nocon III
Catalino Dazo
Eduardo Syama-Sundar-Das Fernandez
Johnny Cris Sy
Ericson Eli Felix
Rebecca Santosidad
Victor Liwag
Orlando Suerte
Virgilio Galang
Leo Cadion
Aresnio Dimaya
Florentino Baguio
Leonardo Bula
Benjamin Handumon, Jr.
Rogelio Tomol
Norma Nueva
Roque Garay
Francis Leo Marcos
Rafael Cabrera
Cosme Soriano
Manuel Espinosa
Pepito Salangsang
Elena Mandap
Victorio Angelo Cadag
Byron Adriano Gorostiza
Nonato Sulibit
Generoso Factor
Severo Maluenda, Jr.
Wenceslao Pancho, Jr.
Rosario Bantolo
Alma Abella
Manuel Insigne
Carlito Ning
Edwin Jolongbayan
Victor Wood
Elizabeth Capular
Alfonso Talag, Jr.
Wendell Lope
Marlon Rirao
Manuel Po

Withdrew candidacy

• Ruffy Biazon (Liberal), incumbent Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and 2010 senatorial candidate. He was among the first four announced candidates of the Liberal Party.^[3] In the following weeks since, however, he was not certain of his candidacy.^[4] On September 25, he announced that he will not run for the Senate in 2013 and will stay instead at the BOC.^[5] His father, former Senator and incumbent Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon is seen as his replacement in the LP ticket.
• Joey de Venecia (PDP–Laban), businessman, whistleblower of the Philippine National Broadband Network controversy and 2010 senatorial candidate. He is among the first five bets of the UNA coalition.^{[6] [7]}
• Gwendolyn Garcia (PDP–Laban/One Cebu), incumbent Governor of Cebu. She was included in the UNA ticket after she took her oath as member of PDP–Laban on May 25, 2012.^[8] On September 20, Vice President Jejomar Binay announced that Garcia will run for the House of Representatives instead.^[9]
• Win Gatchalian (NPC), incumbent Mayor of Valenzuela. He was on the shortlist of the LP-NP-NPC coalition ticket.^[10] He withdrew his Senatorial plans September 25.^[11]
• Alma Moreno (Lakas-CMD), actress, incumbent Councilor of Parañaque, and national president of the Philippine Councilors League. She announced her candidacy in May 2011,^[12] but withdrew on September 5 after it was announced that Moreno is suffering from multiple sclerosis.^{[13] [14]}
• Danton Remoto, chairman emeritus of Ang Ladlad, an LGBT political party. On May 18, he announced his intention to run for the Senate.^[15] But, he did not file his certificate of candidacy at COMELEC.
• Lorenzo Tañada III (Liberal), incumbent Representative from Quezon and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was included in the LP slate shortlist,^{[16] [17]} but volunteered to withdraw from the race, according to Pres. Aquino III.^[18]
• Joel Villanueva, incumbent Secretary-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. He was among the first four announced candidates of the Liberal Party.^[3] On September 24, he announced that he was advised by Pres. Benigno Aquino III not to run for any elective position, and instead remain in TESDA for the time being.^[19]
• Israel Virgines (Bangon Pilipinas), stating that his party is giving way "to a more capable leader".^[20]

Declined candidacy

The following individuals have been speculated as probable senatorial candidates, but have denied interest publicly.

• Florencio Abad, incumbent Secretary of Budget and Management^[21]
• Oscar V. Cruz, retired Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan^{[22] [23]}
• Sara Duterte, incumbent Mayor of Davao City^[24]
• Gary Estrada, actor and incumbent Provincial Board member of Quezon^[25]
• Lani Mercado, incumbent Representative from Cavite^[26] chose to defend her seat in the House of Representatives.
• Leni Robredo, widow of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo chose to run for Camarines Sur's 2nd district's seat in the House of Representatives
• Mar Roxas, incumbent Secretary of Department of the Interior and Local Government, former Senator, and 2010 vice-presidential candidate^[27]
• Adel Tamano, lawyer, talk show host, and 2010 senatorial candidate^[28]
• Gilbert Teodoro, former Secretary of National Defense and 2010 presidential candidate^{[29] [30]}

Prospective candidates

The following individuals have been speculated as probable senatorial candidates, but did not run:

Former senators

• Rodolfo Biazon, incumbent Representative from Muntinlupa,^[31] chose to defend his seat for Representative from Muntlnlupa's district instead

Others

• Neric Acosta, former Representative from Bukidnon and 2010 senatorial candidate^[32]
• Rodolfo Antonino, incumbent Representative from Nueva Ecija^[33]
• Kris Aquino, television host and actress^[34]
• Raul Bacalzo, retired Director General and former Chief of the Philippine National Police^[35]
• Ricky Carandang, incumbent Secretary of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office^[36]
• Leila de Lima, incumbent Secretary of Justice^{[37] [38]}
• Mike Enriquez, GMA-7 news broadcaster^[36]
• Rodolfo Fariñas, incumbent Representative from Ilocos Norte^[39]
• Roilo Golez, incumbent Representative from Parañaque^[36]
• Edwin Lacierda, incumbent Presidential Spokesman^[36]
• Danilo Lim, incumbent Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence of the Bureau of Customs, retired brigadier general, and 2010 senatorial candidate^[40]
• Imee Marcos, incumbent Governor of Ilocos Norte,^[41] chose to run for the governorship of Ilocos Norte instead.
• Grace Padaca, former Governor of Isabela,^[32] was appointed commissioner of the Commission on Elections instead.
• Manuel L. Quezon III, incumbent Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office,^[42]
• Roman Romulo, incumbent Representative from Pasig.^[33] chose to defend his seat for Representative from Pasig's district instead.
• Joey Salceda, incumbent Governor of Albay^[43]
• Korina Sanchez, ABS-CBN news broadcaster^[44]
• Vic Sotto, Celebrity & Host ^[45]
• Niel Tupas, Jr., incumbent Representative from Iloilo,^[46] chose to defend his seat for Representative from Iloilo's 5th district instead.

Notes and References

1. Web site: CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR SENATOR . 2013-01-21 . . 2013-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130228110653/http://www.comelec.gov.ph/uploads/Elections/2013natloc/ListOfCandidates/NATIONAL/SENATOR.pdf . 2013-02-28 . dead .
2. News: LIST OF PERSONS WHO FILED THEIR CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY FOR SENATOR . . 2012-10-05 . 2012-10-08.
3. News: PNoy reveals 4 sure LP senatorial bets for 2013. GMA News. Amita. Legaspi. 2012-05-17. 2012-05-18.
4. News: Two of PNoy’s senatorial bets still undecided. Rappler.com. Ayee. Macaraig. 2012-05-17. 2012-05-18.
5. News: Biazon drops Senate bid. Rappler.com. 2012-09-25. 2012-09-25.
6. News: UNA bares first 5 senatorial candidates. The Philippine Star. 2012-05-11. 2012-05-15. Jose Rodel. Clapano. https://archive.today/20130104112416/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=805861. 2013-01-04. dead.
7. News: Joey de Venecia III gets job as executive vice president of PDP–Laban. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Jerome. Aning. 2012-05-09. 2012-05-18.
8. News: Magsaysay, Gwen Garcia joining Binay’s party. Rappler.com. 2012-05-24. 2012-09-20.
9. News: Gwen Garcia drops Senate bid. ABS-CBN News. 2012-09-20. 2012-09-20.
10. News: League lines up bets for senatorial race. Jess. Malabanan. Manila Standard Today. 2012-01-26. 2012-01-27.
11. News: Biazon, Gatchalian drop senatorial bids. SunStar.com. 2012-09-25. 2012-09-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223609/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/09/25/biazon-gatchalian-drop-senatorial-bids-244714. 2016-03-03. dead.
12. News: Alma running for Senator. https://archive.today/20130131052159/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=807151&publicationSubCategoryId=70. dead. 2013-01-31. The Philippine Star. 2012-05-15. 2012-05-15.
13. News: Alma quits Senate bid, says daughter. Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom. 2012-08-21. 2012-09-24.
14. News: Health Condition Forces Alma Moreno To Drop Senatorial Bid . Manila Bulletin. Alex. Brosas. 2012-09-06. 2012-09-24.
15. News: Danton Remoto to run for Senate in 2013. ABS-CBNNews.com. Karen. Flores. 2012-05-18. 2012-05-18.
16. News: Tañada eyes Senate seat under Liberal Party. Sun.Star Bacolod. 2012-05-07. 2012-05-15. Teresa. Ellera.
17. News: Rep.Tañada confirms plan of running for senator. US News Las Vegas. 2012-03-28. 2012-05-15. https://archive.today/20120716022235/http://usnewslasvegas.asia/phl-regions/rep-tanada-confirms-plan-of-running-for-senator. 2012-07-16. dead.
18. News: Erin Tanada volunteered to withdraw from 2013 senatorial elections, says Aquino. Interaksyon.com. Chichi. Conde. 2012-10-01. 2012-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20121003004311/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/44446/erin-tanada-volunteered-to-withdraw-from-2013-senatorial-elections-says-aquino. 2012-10-03. dead.
19. News: PNoy asks Villanueva to stay at TESDA. ABS-CBN News. 2012-09-24. 2012-09-24.
20. News: JIL's Bro. Eddie Villanueva replaces Virgines as Bangon Pilipinas senatorial bet . Marc . Cayabyab . 2012-12-20 . 2012-12-20.
21. News: LP mulls bets for 2013 senatorial ticket. Ira. Pedrasa. ABS-CBN News. 2012-04-26. 2012-04-26.
22. News: Oscar Cruz for Senator?. David. Dizon. ABS-CBN News. 2011-06-20. 2011-09-10.
23. News: It's a joke. Journal. Lee Ann P.. Ducusin. 2011-06-24. 2011-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20110701221838/http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/7973-its-a-joke. 2011-07-01. dead.
24. News: Senate? Not for me, says Sara Duterte. Rappler. KD. Suarez. 2012-03-28. 2012-03-29.
25. News: Gary Estrada wants to run for senator: "Tayo po'y nangangarap talaga... eto naman po'y libre.". Rommel. Gonzales. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 2011-11-12. 2011-11-12.
26. News: Lani Mercado won't join 2013 Senate race. Kathrina. Alvarez. Sun.Star. 2012-04-17. 2012-04-27.
27. News: Mar says he has no plans for 2013, 2016. https://archive.today/20120908040344/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=798461&publicationSubCategoryId=63. dead. 2012-09-08. Philippine Star. Rainier Allan. Ronda. 2011-04-19. 2011-05-15.
28. News: Adel Tamano leaves NP, quits politics. Ira. Pedresa. ABS-CBN News. 2011-07-08. 2011-09-10.
29. News: Gibo for senator in 2013--Facebook groups. ABS-CBN News. Karen. Galarpe. 2010-05-21. 2011-09-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20120424022407/http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/05/21/10/gibo-senator-2013-facebook-groups. 2012-04-24. dead.
30. News: Gibo moves on. Manila Standard Today. Jojo A.. Robles. 2010-10-20. 2011-10-28.
31. News: Customs chief Biazon, Valenzuela Mayor Gatchalian forego senatorial bids. GMA News. 2012-09-25. 2012-09-25.
32. News: LP, UNA may field common senatorial bets. Philippine Star. Aurea. Calica. 2012-04-11. 2012-04-13. https://archive.today/20130111074731/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=795827&publicationSubCategoryId=63. 2013-01-11. dead.
33. News: Binay-Estrada coalition? Liberal Party 'unfazed'. Interaksyon. Lira. Dalangin-Fernandez. 2012-04-09. 2012-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20120411214926/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/28964/binay-estrada-coalition-liberal-party-unfazed. 2012-04-11. dead.
34. News: Kris Aquino for President or Senator? . 2012-09-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110317042726/http://www.philippinestodayus.com/news/headlines/kris-aquino-for-president-or-senator/ . 2011-03-17 . dead.
35. News: Miriam: Bacalzo for senator, why not?. GMA News Online. 2011-01-17. 2011-09-10.
36. News: Carandang, Enriquez possible LP Senate bets for 2013 - sources. ABS-CBN News. RG. Cruz. 2011-01-13. 2011-09-09.
37. News: De Lima offered slot in Liberal Party Senate slate. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Abigail L.. Ho. Paolo. Montecillo. 2011-10-14. 2011-10-21.
38. News: De Lima confirms plan to seek Senate seat in 2013. The Manila Times. Jomar. Canlas. 2011-10-14. 2011-10-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20111026041614/http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/9255-de-lima-confirms-plan-to-seek-senate-seat-in-2013. 2011-10-26. dead.
39. News: Ilocos Norte Rep. Fariñas, pinapatakbong senador sa 2013 polls. GMA News Online. Mandy. Fernandez. 2012-06-26. 2012-06-28.
40. News: PNoy names possible bets for 2013; Binay group not included. Lynda. Jumilla. ABS-CBN News. 2011-12-27. 2011-12-28.
41. News: Garcia, another Marcos in Senate?. Cebu Daily News. 2011-08-15. 2011-09-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20111016010313/http://cdn.ph/news_details.php?id=10773. 2011-10-16. dead.
42. News: PNoy, LP have initial list of 2013 bets. Rappler. 2012-04-24. 2012-04-24.
43. News: Salceda to run in 2013 Senate race. Manly M.. Ugalde. Bicol Mail. 2011-09-29. 2011-09-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20111002015045/http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/sep29/xceda.html. 2011-10-02. dead.
44. News: Roxas eyes Speakership to launch presidential run. Gerry. Baldo. The Daily Tribune. 2011-10-03. 2011-10-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120602215343/http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111103hed1.html. 2012-06-02. dead.
45. News: Senator Tito Sotto on brother Vic running in 2013 poll: "Napag-uusapan.". 2012-05-22. 2012-05-22.
46. News: 7 House members who may seek a Senate seat. Sun.Star. Kathrina. Alvarez. 2011-12-31. 2012-01-01.