Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, alongside actor Philip Salvador, officially filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2025 midterm elections on Thursday. The trio will run under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Dela Rosa, a former police chief, is seeking reelection after first winning a Senate seat in 2019. He emphasized his commitment to public order and national security. “For national security and defense, we will ensure that our defense posture remains credible against foreign invaders,” he said.
Go, another reelectionist, highlighted healthcare as a top priority. “Isa sa aking adbokasiya ay ang health. Nabigla tayo nung pandemya kaya hindi po ako nagkakamali na we should invest sa ating healthcare system,” Go stated, adding he would also focus on food security and other vital issues.
Salvador, known for his acting career, is running for the first time, centering his platform on peace and order. He pledged to support the modernization of law enforcement and military agencies. “Palalakasin ko ang ating ahensya ng pagpapatupad ng batas upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng publiko,” he said, noting his support for rehabilitation for drug addicts.
The three candidates are close allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who chairs PDP-Laban.
Two other individuals, Elpidio Rosales Jr. and Robert Caballero Agad, also filed their COCs for senator. Agad, a licensed therapist, plans to advocate for increased salaries for overseas Filipino workers, especially in the Middle East, and benefits for senior citizens and students.