Electrician-carpenter Alexander Encarnacion is trying his luck in politics anew. Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) -- An incumbent party-list representative, a first-timer political hopeful and a three-time aspirant opened the first day of Certificate of Candidacy filing period for the Senate post.

AGRI Party-list Rep Wilbert Lee, who is now with Aksyon Demokratiko, said that he wanted to stress his determination to run for the Senate as one that is independent-minded.

Lee promises to alleviate the fear of the people brought about by too much uncertainty in the country.

As early as 5 in the morning, Lee's supporters, which include a band, already gathered around the Manila Hotel Tent City.

Lee, who filed his COC at exactly 8 in the morning, expressed his "surprise" upon seeing his throngs of supporters, who he also intended to "treat" after filing his COC.

READ: Comelec delists 42 party-list groups

"Tayo ay nagulat. Nagpapasalamat sa kanilang suporta," Lee said.

Philippines enters new election season as candidacy filing for 2025 kicks off

Aside from him, Dr Willie Ong – a party mate in Aksyon Demokratiko – is also seeking a Senate seat, he said.

Lee admitted to have spent much on his advertising billboard.

He promised to provide the amount that he has spent for such purpose in due time.

David Paul Chan meantime decided to seek a Senate seat after the President snubbed his request for an appointment to discuss his 500-page study on how to reduce the price of rice to P30 per kilo.

Chan, a 1985 FEATI University Mechanical Engineering graduate, is promising to also introduce educational reforms.

Meanwhile, electrician-carpenter Alexander Encarnacion is trying the political arena for the third time.

He ran as president in 2022 and next year, he plans to seek a Senate seat again.

Encarnacion is offering his "LaserCo Superfortress" invention to end crime, corruption and illegal drugs in the country.

Lawyer-physician Jose Montemayor who ran and lost in the 2022 presidential race, is also making another try, but this time in the Senate.

Representing Partido Federal ng Maharlika, Montemayor believes that he has a bigger chance to win, with a commitment to uplift the working condition of health workers.

Meantime, Bicolano senatorial wannabe Janice Malinog-Padilla has repeatedly stressed her intention to "serve the youth, the people and God."

Padilla introduced herself as a "scholarship coordinator" who left the teaching profession last May.

"Bida ang kabataang makabansa, maka-kalikasan, makatao, maka-Diyos," Padilla, who vowed to campaign via Facebook, said.

READ: Philippines enters new election season as candidacy filing for 2025 kicks off

PARTY-LIST RACE

For day 1, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo registered as the first group eyeing a party-list seat in the House of Representatives.

Salo welcomes calls to amend the Party-list Act, and also supports call for former partymate Harry Roque to face the House Quad Committee investigation.

Meanwhile, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Executive Director Astra Pimentel-Naic, introduced herself as the first nominee of "Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas" party-list group.

Pimentel distanced herself from the political issues and maintained that she is more of an advocate of firefighters and fire volunteers in the country.

More groups seeking party list seats have filed this afternoon their papers for the 2025 midterm elections.

Among them is the AGAP party list represented by Representative Nicanor Briones, who wants to continue programs benefiting the agriculture sector.

The nominees of Bayan Muna party-list. Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News

Buhay Party List, represented by former Representative Lito Atieza and Bayan Muna whose first three nominees were: Bayan Muna chair and former lawmakers Neri Colmenares, Carlos Zarate and Ferdinand Gaite.

Both Buhay and Bayan Muna did not make the cut in the last election and both groups promised to double efforts to court voters and return to Congress.

Congressman Atienza stressed Buhay will uphold pro life issues saying he is dismayed by current developments such as the passage of the divorce bill while Bayan Muna vowing to remain independent and push for issues that will benefit the poor such as the elimination of VAT on oil, power and water.

Colmenares also said it would be better for an impeachment complaint to come from the people and for a lawmaker to endorse it, when asked if the group is filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Also filing their party list group's papers for the elections are COOP NATCCO.

Those who filed COCs this afternoon for the senator include an animal rights advocate Norman Marquez and security guard Phil delos Reyes, vlogger and podcaster Mark Gamboa.