Bong Go VP bid surprises Day 2 of COC filing for national positions
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) - The surprise appearance of Sen. Bong Go to file his candidacy for vice president steals the spotlight on Day 2 of the filing of certificates of candidacy for national positions in the 2022 elections.
Go was accompanied by President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Energy Secretary and ruling PDP-Laban party president Alfonso Cusi when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president at around 3:30 in the afternoon.
The senator said he replaced Duterte after the President withdrew his nomination to be PDP-Laban's vice presidential bet in next year's polls.
Go was the only person who filed a COC for vice president on Saturday.
Meanwhile, 67-year-old Victor Inte was the only presidential aspirant who went to the Harbor Garden Tent at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City.
In his speech after filing his COC for president, Inte criticized Duterte for his administration's alleged failed implementation of its centerpiece campaign against illegal drugs.
"Maraming buhay na natokhang. Tokhang doon, tokhang dito. (Many lives were killed by Oplan Tokhang. Tokhang there, tokhang here). If he's really sincere to stop, gibain ang mga (dismantle the) laboratories. Stop the production of chemicals in our country to seed the new generation," Inte said.
Inte, a barangay employee from Pasay City, also said he will uphold the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and reclaim the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family.
There are now a total of seven presidential aspirants and four vice presidential hopefuls so far.
Tulfo, Ejercito lead Senate aspirants
Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo is among the five senatorial aspirants who filed their candidacies on the second day of COC filing. Tulfo will run as an independent candidate.
LIST: Media personalities vying for elective posts in 2022
Former Sen. JV Ejercito will seek a return to the Senate after filing his COC, running under the Nationalist People's Coalition.
The three other senatorial aspirants are independents Loreto Banosan, Rodelo Pinoy, and Joel "Pastor" Apolinario.
RELATED: Founder of ministry tagged in investment scam eyes Senate seat
There are now 19 people gunning for Senate seats in the 2022 elections.
Around nine party-list groups also filed their certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA), hiking the total to 27.
Those that filed on Saturday were APEC, PHILRECA, RECOBODA, Ako Padayon Pilipino, Abang Lingkod, PNPRA, PDP Cares, Ang Kabuhayan, and Bagong Henerasyon.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) rejected the CONA of Lingkud Bayanihan, which filed the document minutes before the 5 p.m. cutoff, due to incomplete requirements.
Comelec director Elaiza Sabile-David said the group can still refile its CONA until Oct. 8.
