Five persons  filed their Certificates of Candidacy for the 2025 midterm polls on Sunday, October 6. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Only five persons -- albeit with familiar names -- filed their Certificates of Candidacy on Sunday as representative of their district in the 2025 midterm polls. 

In a press conference on Sunday, Commission on Elections National Capital Region Assist Director Attorney Jovy Balanquit said this is the lowest number they’ve received since the period of filing opened last Tuesday.

Among those who filed their COCs were Councilor Mark Anthony Santos who is seeking to be representative of the lone district of Las Piñas, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as representative of Marikina’s 1st District and Kenneth Gatchalian as representative of Valenzuela’s 1st District. 

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Gatchalian is a sibling of the Senator Win Gatchalian, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian. 

Incumbent Quezon City 2nd District Representative Ralph Tulfo also filed his COC. He was joined by his father Senator Raffy Tulfo, his mother and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. 

Katherine Martinez, wife of outgoing Valenzuela 2nd District Representative Eric Martinez, also filed her COC in the hope of continuing the work of her husband for their district. 

As of writing, around 52 COCs for congressional seats have been received by the Comelec-NCR. 

Balanquit says this figure is 52% of the total 92 COCs based on their baseline date during the 2022 national elections. 

So far, all cities have seen at least one COC filed except for the cities of San Juan, Mandaluyong and Pasay. 

With just two days before the period of filing closes, Balanquit expressed confidence that their staff will be able to accommodate the remaining number of COCs that have yet to be filed. 

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“Meron pa namang time. In order for their COC to be accepted, they should be here at the strike of 5pm on Tuesday. That’s within the queuing area or a 30 meter radius from this building,” he said. 

Balanquit urged those with intentions to file to make the most of the last two days and ensure that their documents are complete and follow the standards set by the commission. 

Should an aspiring candidate be unable to file the COC personally, an authorized representative may be able to do so on their behalf as long as he/she provides a notarized authority to file the COC.