Celebrities running in the May 13 elections

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The upcoming midterm elections are set to become a showdown not only of new and old names in politics, as familiar faces in the entertainment industry also seek to take the spotlight.

At least 30 television and movie personalities are joining the race for over 18,000 government positions in the May 13 polls.

Here are some of them:

Senator

Lito Lapid – The action-star-turned-politician is seeking to return to the Senate, running under the Nationalist People's Coalition. He served as senator for two consecutive terms, from 2004 to 2010 and 2010 to 2016.

Jinggoy Estrada – The former action star and senator, who is out on bail for charges in connection to the multi-billion pork barrel scam, wants to return to the Senate. He served as senator for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2010 and 2010 to 2016.

Bong Revilla – The actor-turned-politician hopes for another shot in the Senate. Revilla was recently acquitted of plunder in connection to the Pork Barrel Scam. He is running under Lakas-CMD.

Freddie Aguilar – A staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, the 66-year-old singer is making a debut in politics by seeking a seat in the Senate. Aguilar-who became popular for his song "Anak," among others-is running as an independent candidate. He is among the 13 bets backed by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's party Hugpong Ng Pagbabago.

Congressman

Vilma Santos-Recto (Lipa City, Batangas) – The incumbent House representative of Lipa City, Batangas is gunning for another term. The "Star For All Seasons" had served as provincial governor and Lipa City mayor.

Edu Manzano (San Juan City) – The veteran actor and TV host is taking another shot in politics, this time running for the lone congressional seat of San Juan City, one of the most progressive business districts in the country. He had served as Makati vice mayor from 1998 to 2001. Manzano failed in his attempts to become vice president in 2010 and senator in 2016.

Alfred Vargas (Quezon City, 5th District) – The former model and actor, who became known for his role in the hit fantasy series "Encantadia," is seeking reelection as Quezon City 2nd District representative. Vargas served as councilor of the same district before entering Congress.

Richard Yap (Cebu City, North District Representative) – The businessman-actor, who rose to fame for his roles in TV series as "Papa Chen" and "Sir Chief", is entering politics for the first time. He is running for Cebu City North District representative.

Yul Servo (Manila, 3rd District) – Servo, or John Marvin Nieto in real life, is seeking another term as Manila's 3rd District representative. He previously served as councilor of the country's capital for three terms before becoming a lawmaker.

Lucy Torres-Gomez (Ormoc City Representative) – The former actress and TV host is running for another three-year term as the representative of Ormoc City, Leyte. Gomez began her political career in 2010 when she substituted for her husband, Richard, as representative of Leyte's fourth district.

Long Mejia (Camarines Sur, 1st District Representative) – The veteran comedian is throwing his hat again into the political arena, this time running as Camarines Sur 1st District representative. Mejia ran as board member of the 1st District of Bulacan in 2016, but failed to secure the post.

Camille Villar (Las Pinas Representative) – Villar, the daughter of former senator Manny and reelectionist senator Cynthia Villar, is gunning for the lone congressional seat of Las Pinas. The businesswoman had a short stint in the entertainment industry when she became one of the hosts of Willie Revillame's gameshow "Wil Time Bigtime" in 2010.

Rommel Padilla (Nueva Ecija, 1st District Representative) – The veteran actor and father of matinee idol Daniel Padilla aims to enter the lower chamber of Congress as Nueva Ecija 1st District representative. He is an incumbent board member of the said district.

Ciara Sotto (Luntiang Pilipinas Partylist) – The daughter of comedian and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and veteran actress Helen Gamboa is seeking a congressional seat as second nominee of Luntiang Pilipinas Partylist.

Mocha Uson (Kasosyo Party Representative) – The sexy-star-turned-blogger, who is controversial for her remarks against the critics of President Rodrigo Duterte, is seeking a seat in Congress as the representative of Kasosyo Party.

Vice Governor

Jolo Revilla (Cavite) – The former teen actor, whose parents are former senator Bong Revilla and incumbent Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado, is seeking another term as vice governor of Cavite. His foray in politics began when he won as baranggay captain in Bacoor, Cavite in 2010 and later became president of the province's Association of Barangay Captains. In 2013, he was elected as provincial vice governor, making him the youngest Filipino to hold such position.

Mayor

Joseph Estrada (Manila) – The incumbent Manila Mayor seeks to maintain his hold on the city's executive post. The former president is in a three-way race against former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and his co-actor-turned-politician Isko Moreno.

Richard Gomez (Ormoc, Leyte) – Gomez, a former matinee idol, is running for another term as Ormoc City mayor under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

Isko Moreno (Manila) – Moreno, whose real name is Francisco Damagoso, wants to continue serving in the country's capital—this time gunning for the top executive post. The actor-turned-politician previously served as Manila's vice mayor for two terms and councilor for three terms.

Lani Mercado (Bacoor, Cavite) – The wife of former senator Bong Revilla seeks to extend her terms as mayor of Bacoor City in Cavite to another six years. Mercado, a former actress, was a representative of the 2nd District of Cavite from 2010 to 2016.

Vice Mayor

Roderick Paulate (Quezon City) – The incumbent councilor of Quezon City aims to take his leadership in the city to the next level. The comedian, who was previously charged by the Sandiganbayan for allegedly hiring "fictitious job contractors" in 2010, is running for vice mayor under the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

Gary Estrada (Cainta, Rizal) – The veteran TV and movie actor is running for vice mayor of Cainta, Rizal. He previously served as board member of the 2nd District of Quezon.

Monsour del Rosario (Makati) – From Congress, the former Olympian and actor wants to take his leadership back to the local level. The incumbent Makati City 1st district representative is running for vice mayor of the city.

Councilor

Sheryl Cruz (Manila, 2nd District) – The actress and singer who also hails from a family of thespians is making a debut in politics, running for councilor of the second district of Manila.

Dominic Ochoa (Paranaque, 2nd District) – Ochoa, known to be among the most popular actors of his generation, is running for councilor of the second district of Paranaque.

Jhong Hilario (Makati City, 4th District) – The TV host and former dancer aims to extend his term as councilor of Makati City 4th District to another six years.

Jaycee Parker-Aguas (Angeles City, Pampanga) – The actress and former member of girl group Viva Hot Babes is running as councilor of Angeles City in Pampanga.

Jan Marini (Quezon City, 2nd District) – The veteran actress and former cast of 90's hit TV show "Ang TV" is running for councilor in the second district of Quezon City.

Vandolf Quizon (Paranaque, 1st District) – The former child star, the son of late comedian Dolphy, is seeking reelection as councilor of 1st district of Paranaque.

Jomari Yllana (Paranaque, 1st District) – The veteran actor is also gunning for a fresh term as Paranaque 1st District's councilor.