The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has released the final list of candidates for the 2025 midterm elections, setting the stage for what analysts predict will be a highly competitive race for 12 Senate seats.
Key Candidates
The roster includes several administration-backed candidates, opposition figures, and independent aspirants. Notable names include former cabinet secretaries, incumbent local officials, and celebrities entering the political arena for the first time.
Party-List Registration
COMELEC also announced that 177 party-list groups have been accredited for the upcoming elections. The commission noted stricter verification processes have been implemented to ensure groups genuinely represent marginalized sectors.
"We have learned from past elections. This time, we're implementing more rigorous background checks and requiring stronger proof of genuine advocacy," COMELEC Chairman George Garcia explained.
Campaign Period
The official campaign period for national positions will begin on February 12, 2025, while local campaigns will start on March 28. COMELEC has reminded candidates of spending limits and has deployed field monitors nationwide.
Election Technology
The commission confirmed that it will continue using automated counting machines while implementing additional security protocols. Random manual audits will be conducted in more precincts compared to previous elections to enhance transparency.
Voter Registration
Final voter registration figures show approximately 67 million registered voters, an increase of 4 million from the 2022 elections. Youth voters (18-30) comprise roughly 30% of the electorate.