MANILA, Philippines — It appeared that no colorful characters emerged among the lesser-known senatorial and party-list representative aspirants during the third day of candidacy filing for midterm elections on Thursday, Oct. 3, here at Manila Hotel Tent City.
This was a far cry from the past few days, which saw aspirants who falsely claimed to be Sen. Imee Marcos’ fiancee, a man who claimed to be an heir to an “₱800 quadrillion” worth of Marcos family’s wealth, an electrician who touted his novel laser invention, among other curious personalities.
However, the gimmick of the aspirant supporters’ stole the show this time.
A bald supporter of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa got considerable attention as he brandished a placard shaped after Dela Rosa’s head while urging everyone to vote for his “brother”, drawing laughter from the crowd.
WATCH: ‘WAG NYO PONG KAKALIMUTAN KUYA KO, HA’
A bald supporter of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa shows support as the latter filed his COC for reelection here at Manila Hotel Tent City @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/WtGQHAZoFM
— John Eric Mendoza (@JEMendozaINQ) October 3, 2024
Several supporters of Dela Rosa who were with him while he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) also had this placard shaped after the senate reelectionist’s head, which attracted curiosity.
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LOOK: Senator Bato dela Rosa’s supporters gathered outside the Manila Hotel Tent City as he files his certificate of candidacy for reelection @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/AmiXEauH8e
— John Eric Mendoza (@JEMendozaINQ) October 3, 2024
About a hundred supporters of late presidential candidate and action star Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ also gathered in front of the filing venue, accompanied by a marching band.
They were holding placards professing their love and admiration for FPJ, as if it’s the late action star who will run for office.
However, it was Poe’s grandson Brian Poe Llamanzares who filed the certification of nomination and acceptance (Cona) of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list, of which he is the first nominee.
As for Wednesday, 12 new Senatorial aspirants filed their COCs, while nine party-list groups submitted their Conas.
So far, 39 senatorial aspirants filed their COC, while 35 party-list groups filed their Conas since the beginning of filing on Oct. 1.