Former Sen. Gringo Honasan files his COC for senator on Oct. 7, 2024. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Two former soldiers were the first to file their certificates of candidacy (COC) for senator on Monday.

The first filer was Former Sen. Gringo Honasan, a leader of an Armed Forces group that broke away from the Marcos dictatorship.

He was first elected senator in 1995. His last Senate term was cut short in 2018 after he was appointed as Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary.

• Honasan to be appointed DICT chief next week: Sotto

Asked why younger voters should reelect him to the Senate, he said "because I put my life on the line several times for the last 50 years."

Former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin files his COC for senator on Oct. 7, 2024. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN NewsAnother former soldier who filed his candidacy for senator was former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who said he was backed by Nacionalista party but was "independent from any slate."

• PHOTO: Retired Col. Querubin to run for senator

"Inaalay kong muli ang sarili para sa bayan," he said.

Querubin was a veteran of several military campaigns as a Philippine Marine Corps officer and a recipient of the Medal of Valor.

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