Celebs, athletes & beauty queens try luck in politics

by Charmie Joy Pagulong – The Philippine Star, 11 Oct 2021

(First of two parts)

Several local showbiz personalities, beauty queens, athletes and broadcasters are trying their luck in politics in the coming May 2022 elections.

These celebrities have filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COC) and nomination and acceptance (CONA) from Oct. 1 to 8, the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Former actor and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and global boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao are vying for presidency.

Social media influencer Doc Willie Ong and former actor and Senate President Tito Sotto III are running as vice president (VP) of the Philippines.

Joining the senatorial race are: actor and former Quezon City (QC) mayor Herbert Bautista, broadcaster and former VP Noli de Castro, former actor Jinggoy Estrada, actor Robin Padilla, actor and producer Manuel Monsour del Rosario III, broadcaster Raffy Tulfo.

Meanwhile, those seeking for congressional seats are: Actor Arjo Atayde (1st district, QC); “Superstar” Nora Aunor (representative for National Organization for Responsive Advocacies for the Arts party-list); actress Karla Estrada (third nominee for Tingog Sinirangan party-list); actor and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez (4th district, Leyte); actress Angelica Jones (3rd district, Laguna); and actor Jolo Revilla (1st district, Cavite).

Rounding up the list are: Blogger, singer and actress Mocha Uson, along with second nominee beauty queen Michelle Gumabao (Mothers For Change party-list); actor Tom Rodriguez (Anak Maharlikang Pilipino party-list); Miss Universe Philippines pageant director and Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup (ARTE party-list); actor Richard Yap (1st District, Cebu City); and actor Anjo Yllana (4th District, Camarines Sur).