130 presidential, 19 veep, 172 senatorial hopefuls
The Commission on Elections said 130 Filipinos wanted to be president in next year's elections.As of 5 p.m. Friday, the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy, the poll body received and recognized 130 COCs for individuals hoping to replace President Aquino on July 1, 2016.The number was 31 higher than in the 2010 national elections where there were 99 presidential aspirants.For Vice President, the Comelec said 19 candidates filed COCs. In 2010 polls, 20 hopefulshave filed for the vice presidential contest. For senator, 172 individuals have filed COCs from October 12 to16. In 2010 polls, 158 desired to become members of Philippine Senate.After deliberation in 2010, the poll body declared majority of candidates for presidentas nuisance and disqualified them from running.Thus in 2010, there were only 10 official candidates where Aquino won. In the 2010 vice presidential race, only eight were official candidates and Vice President Jejomar Binay came out victorious.Of the 158 senatorial aspirants, only 61 were declared official candidates.James Jiminez, Comelec spokesperson, said the poll body, starting Monday, will sit down en banc to determine who are official and nuisance candidates.