The official date for the filing of candidacy for national and local positions is less than a month away but many politicians are already in the thick of preparation for a possible run.

Here are some big names being considered for president:

Cayetano, Peter – Currently serving as congressman representing a district of Taguig, he previously served as Speaker, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Senator. He has announced his intention to run for president in order to curb gambling especially cock fighting. Moreover, he wants to pursue a godly governance.

Duterte, Sara – She is the presidential daughter who topped almost all the major surveys in the past. She is the incumbent mayor of Davao City. Although she tries to project a hesitant attitude toward the national position, her supporters put up tarpaulins and other campaign posters all over the country urging her to run for president.

Domagoso, Francisco a.k.a. Isko Moreno – Currently the mayor of the country’s capital, Isko Moreno figures in many surveys as a viable candidate. Having a large followers on Facebook alone in addition to a wide coverage by mainstream media, his good governance in Manila is projected in the national stage. His background as a former matinee idol helped him become a household name all over the archipelago.

Go, Christopher “Bong” – A long time aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, he is presently serving as a neophyte senator. The president himself announced that the senator wanted to be president. The Cusi faction of PDP-Laban also announced that Senator Go will be nominated as the party’s candidate for president. However, recent events made the senator write a letter to decline the nomination but who knows? He can always change his mind.

Gordon, Richard – A former mayor of Olongapo City and a former secretary of the Department of Tourism, he is now serving his second term as senator. He has indicated in news reports his availability for the position of president.

Lacson, Panfilo – A former PNP Chief, he is currently serving as senator for the third term. He already announced his intention to run for president with Senator Sotto as his candidate for vice president.

Marcos, “Bongbong” Ferdinand Jr. – The son and namesake of the former strongman Ferdinand Marcos ran for vice president in 2016 but lost to Leni Robredo by a slim margin. He filed a protest but the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) threw out the case. His motion for reconsideration is still pending. His family’s legion of loyalist is still intact and he can count on them for support in case he decides to run for the highest position in the land.

Pacquiao, Manny – The world-famous boxer from Mindanao has signified his intention to run for president. However, the disarray in the PDP-Laban party where his position as president is being challenged gives him second thought. He reportedly plans to run as an independent or perhaps another party can accommodate him. Money is not a major consideration for him because he has billions which he earned from his boxing fights. Currently, he serves as senator until June 30, 2022.

Robredo, Leni – A lawyer by profession, she occupies the second highest position of the country as vice president. She has yet to declare her intention to run for president but her supporters, among them high government officials of the previous administration, has organized social media forums and online meetings to urge her to run.

Trillanes, Antonio – A former senator whose term ended in 2019. He opted not to run for any position in the 2019 election. He is currently employed as a university professor and a vlogger.

For the position of vice president, here is a short list of possible candidates:
1. President Rodrigo Duterte
2. Senator Tito Sotto
3. Mayor Isko Moreno
4. Former Senator Bongbong Marcos
5. Former Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro
6. Congressman Martin Romualdez of Leyte Province
7. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes
8. Dr. Willie Ong

Some names like Senators Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, and Sherwin Gatchalian may also be included but they seem to be disinterested. Again who knows?

As the official filing of candidacy comes near, many more names may be floated or some of the names mentioned above may be dropped. Let us wait and see.

See also: List of Philippine Senators – Past and Present

See also: Top Government Officials under President Duterte

(This is a developing story. Please come back for updates.)