MANILA – Reelectionist Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel was first in line when the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2019 midterm elections opened on Thursday at the Commission of Election office in Intramuros, Manila.
Pimentel, who is allied with ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said he is seeking reelection since there are still unfinished businesses to be pursued at Senate.
He added that he chose to file early so that he can focus on preparing for his wedding with fiancée Kathryn Yu next week.
Pimentel also revealed other members of PDP-Laban’s Senate slate – Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Monsour del Rosario, Dong Mangudadatu, and Francis Tolentino.
While he was not mentioned by Pimentel, singer Freddie Aguilar, who was the second to file his COC, also claimed that he will be running under the party of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“After 40 years po, nakumbinsi na akong tumakbo sa Senado. Matagal na po nila akong kinukumbinsi dahil daw po sa mga advocacies ko sa mga kanta ko. ‘Yung nagpapayag po sa akin mga ordinaryong mamamayan lang po,” Aguilar said.
Other notables who filed their COCs for Senate position are Negrense Neri Colmenares, former Pagsanjan Mayor Abner Afuang, former Department of Health consultant Dr. Willie Ong, and Marawi City civic leader Samira Gutoc of Liberal Party./PN
