In the Philippines, celebrities turned politicians are not new.
With the national and local elections coming up on May 9, 2022, many celebrities have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) from October 1-8, 2021.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) gives a rundown of these familiar names and the positions they are vying for.
Note that this list does not include newscasters and radio announcers as well as the spouses or kids of celebrities.
Some are new to politics, while others are hoping for reelection.
National Posts
The following celebrities are running for the positions of President, Vice-President, and Senator.
Francisco Domagoso (Isko Moreno)
Running for: President
Political Party: Aksyon Demokratiko
COC filing date: October 4, 2021
Isko Moreno was an actor before entering politics in 1998.
Since 2019, he has been serving as the mayor of the City of Manila.
Read Here: Isko Moreno files certificate of candidacy with running mate Dr. Willie Ong
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr. (Manny Pacquiao)
Running for: President
Political Party: ABAG PROMDI
COC filing date: October 1, 2021
Manny Pacquiao, also known as PacMan, is deemed one of the greatest boxers of all time.
His first stint in politics was in 2009, when he won a seat in congress, representing his hometown of Sarangani. He held the position for two terms.
In 2016, he was elected as one of the country's senators.
On September 29, 2021, he officially declared his retirement from boxing.
Read Here: Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, running mate ni Manny Pacquiao sa 2022
Vicente Sotto III (Tito Sotto)
Running for: Vice-President
Political Party: National People's Coalition (NPC)
COC filing date: October 6, 2021
Tito Sotto III was an actor, comedian, host, and musician prior to entering politics in 1988. Currently, he is the incumbent Senate President.
Read Here: Ping Lacson and running mate Tito Sotto file COCs for 2022 elections
Willie Ong
Running for: Vice-President
Political Party: Aksyon Demokratiko
COC filing date: October 4, 2021
Herbert Bautista (Bistek)
Running for: Senator
Political Party: National People's Coalition
COC filing date: October 6, 2021
Herbert Bautista started acting when he was 10 years old, and began dabbling in politics in 1986.
Also known as Bistek, he served as the mayor of Quezon City from 2010-2019.
Read Here: Monsour del Rosario, Herbert Bautista, Robin Padilla to run as senator in the 2022 elections
Jose Ejercito Jr. (Jinggoy Estrada)
Running for: Senator
Political Party: Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino
COC filing date: October 6, 2021
Ex-senator Jinggoy Estrada served in the Senate from 2004-2016. He was once an actor, before he started his political career in 1988.
Read Here: Jinggoy Estrada muling tatakbong senador kahit aktibo pa ang kasong plunder
Manuel Monsour del Rosario III (Monsour del Rosario)
Running for: Senator
Political Party: Partido Para Sa Demokratikong Reporma
COC filing date: October 6, 2021
Monsour del Rosario was an actor and a taekwondo champion. He decided to join politics in 2010, and served as congressman of the 1st district of Makati from 2016-2019.
Robin Padilla
Running for: Senator
Political Party: Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Active in the Philippine entertainment industry as an actor, producer, and director, Robin Padilla is dabbling in politics for the first time. His latest television stint was as a judge in ABS-CBN's fifth season of Pilipinas Got Talent back in 2015.
Party-Lists
Nora Aunor
Running for: 1st Nominee for National Organization for Responsive Advocacies for the Arts (NORAA)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Superstar Nora Aunor is a singer, actress, and film producer. She will once again try her luck in politics, this time under a party-list.
Back in 2001, she ran for Camarines Sur Governor but unfortunately did not win.
Read Here: Nora Aunor, Arjo Atayde, Karla Estrada file COCs for congressional seats
Margaux Uson (Mocha)
Running for: 1st nominee for Mothers Change (MOCHA)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Once known as a sexy singer-actress and part of the sexy girl group Mocha Girls, Mocha Uson is a staunch supporter of the current administration.
She is currently the Deputy Administrator for Membership Promotion, OFW Family Welfare, and Media Relations of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Read Here: Beauty queens Shamcey Supsup and Michele Gumabao, blogger Mocha Uson file COCs as party-list reps
Karla Estrada
Running for: 3rd nominee for Tingog Sinirangan
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Karla Estrada is a singer, actress, and TV host. She is currently one of the hosts of ABS-CBN's talk show Magandang Buhay.
This is the first time she is joining politics.
Read Here: Nora Aunor, Arjo Atayde, Karla Estrada file COCs for congressional seats
Michele Gumabao
Running for: 2nd nominee for Mothers Change (MOCHA)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Michele Gumabao is a volleyball player and beauty pageant titleholder. She was also 2nd runner-up in Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
This will be Michele's first try at politics.
Read Here: Beauty queens Shamcey Supsup and Michele Gumabao, blogger Mocha Uson file COCs as party-list reps
Tom Rodriguez
Running for: 1st nominee for Anak Maharlikang Pilipino (AMP)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Tom Rodriguez is a model, singer, actor, and host. A first-timer in politics as well, Tom is currently a cast member of GMA-7's The World Between Us.
Read Here: Tom Rodriguez, Leren Mae Bautista join celebrities who filed COCs for 2022 elections
Shamcey Supsup
Running for: 1st nominee for Advocates for Retail, Textile, Tradition, Entertainment & the Creative Sector (ARTE)
COC filing date: October 8, 2021
Another beauty queen who is trying her luck in politics for the first time, Shamcey is also an architect and a pageant director. She used to co-host CNN's talk show Real Talk.
Read Here: Beauty queens Shamcey Supsup and Michele Gumabao, blogger Mocha Uson file COCs as party-list reps
Others
House of Representatives (Congress)
Arjo Atayde (actor) - 1st District, Quezon City, NCR
Dan Fernandez (actor) - Lone District, Santa Rosa, Laguna
Angelica Jones (actress) - 3rd District, Laguna
Jolo Revilla (actor) - 1st District, Cavite
Lani Mercado (actress) - 2nd District, Cavite
Anjo Yllana (actor/comedian) - 4th District, Camarines Sur
Richard Yap (actor) - 1st District, Cebu City, Cebu
Richard Gomez (actor) - 4th District, Leyte
Other Local Posts
Daniel Fernando (actor) - Governor, Bulacan
Imelda Papin (singer) - Governor, Camarines Sur
Sharifa Akeel (beauty queen) - Governor, Sultan Kudarat
Alex Castro (actor/singer) - Vice Governor, Bulacan
Ejay Falcon (actor) - Vice Governor, Oriental Mindoro
Jason Abalos (actor) - Board Member, 2nd District, Nueva Ecija
Bryan Revilla (actor) - Board Member, 2nd District, Cavite
Alvin Patrimonio (basketball player) - Mayor, Cainta, Rizal
ER Ejercito (actor/producer) - Mayor, Calamba, Laguna
Javi Benitez (actor) - Mayor, Victorias City, Negros Occidental
Lucy Torres-Gomez (model) - Mayor, Ormoc City, Leyte
Dexter Dominguez/Teri Onor (actor/comedian) - Vice Mayor, Abucay, Bataan
Yul Servo (actor) - Vice Mayor, Manila City, NCR
Don Allado (basketball player) - Councilor, San Juan City, NCR
Paul Artadi (basketball player) - Councilor, San Juan City, NCR
Ervic Vijandre (actor/basketball player) - Councilor, San Juan City, NCR
James Yap (basketball player) - Councilor, San Juan City, NCR
Aiko Melendez (actress) - Councilor, 5th District, Quezon City, NCR
Bobby Andrews (actor) - Councilor, 4th District, Quezon City, NCR
Ali Forbes (beauty queen/actress) - Councilor, 6th District, Quezon City, NCR
Jhong Hilario (dancer/host) - Councilor, 1st District, Makati City, NCR
Vandolph Quizon (actor) - Councilor, 1st District, Parañaque City, NCR
Jomari Yllana (actor) - Councilor, 1st District, Parañaque City, NCR
Lou Veloso (actor/comedian) - Councilor, 6th District, Manila City, NCR
Dennis Padilla (actor/comedian) - Councilor, Caloocan City, NCR
Angelu de Leon (actress) - Councilor, Pasig City
Arci Muñoz (actress) - Councilor, Cainta, Rizal
Nash Aguas (actor) - Councilor, Cavite City, Cavite
Claudine Barretto (actress) - Councilor, Olongapo City, Zambales
(Source: https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=2022NLE/ListsofCandidates)