FT Chronicle

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved only eight presidential candidates out of the 99 aspirants who have filed their certificates of candidacies (COCs) for the position, a radio report said today.

Those who were allowed to run in the national elections were Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), Olongapo City councilor JC de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), former President Joseph Estrada (UNO-PMP), Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), Sen. Jamby Madrigal (independent), former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) and Sen. Manny Villar (Nacionalista Party).

Meanwhile, the Comelec likewise trimmed down the vice presidential aspirants to eight. They include Sen. Mar Roxas (Liberal Party), Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay (UNO-PMP), former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando (Bagumbayan), Sen. Loren Legarda (Nacionalista Party), Edu Manzano (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), broadcaster Jay Sonza (KBL), former Securities and Exchange Commission chief Perfecto Yasay (Bangon Pilipinas) and Dominador Chipeco Jr. (Ang Kapatiran).

The poll body has allowed 58 senatorial candidates out of the more than 100 senatorial bets who filed their respective COCs.

The poll body will announce next week the 56 party-list groups that have been qualified to participate in next year’s elections. – By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)