The May 9 elections are just three months away, and as the official campaign period for national candidates starts on Feb. 8, it is the responsibility of every Filipino voter to get to know those aspiring to be the next leaders of the country.
Political analysts say that aside from knowing the background of the candidates, it's also important to scrutinize their positions on key issues and their past work in the government.
As we begin to know our candidates more ahead of the vote, here are the most essential information about some presidential and vice presidential candidates and their stance on important issues.
Presidential candidates
De Guzman, Leody
Date of Birth: July 25, 1959
Place of birth: Naujan, Oriental Mindoro
Positions held:
Member, Kilusang Mayo Uno (1990-1992)
Chair, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (1993)
Vice President, Asia Regional Organization of Bank, Insurance and Finance Unions (2008-present)
Councilor, International Council, International Center for Labor Solidarity (2012-present)
Member, Board of Trustees, Bulig Visayas (2013-present)
Member, Board of Trustees, PhilRights (2018)
Position on key issues:
Tax the Rich: Ka Leody de Guzman to Push for 20% 'Wealth Tax'
Leody de Guzman Opposes Mandatory Military Service, Says PH Not at War
Leody de Guzman Says Jail Duterte, Not Vote for Him as Senator
Lacson, Panfilo
Date of Birth: June 1, 1948
Place of Birth: Imus, Cavite
Positions held:
Chief, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (1998)
Chief, Philippine National Police (1999-2001)
Senator (2001-2013, 2016-2022)
Position on key issues:
Lacson Plants Philippine Flag in Spratlys, Saying 'West Philippine Sea is Ours'
Lacson Backs PH Return Under International Court That's Investigating Duterte
If Elected President, Lacson Says You are Free to Check His Bank Accounts
Marcos, Bongbong
Date of Birth: Sept. 13, 1957
Hometown: Batac, Ilocos Norte
Positions held:
Vice Governor, Ilocos Norte (1980-1983)
Governor, Ilocos Norte (1983-1986, 1988-2007)
Representative, Ilocos Norte 2nd District (1992-1995, 2007-2010)
Senator (2010-2016)
Position on key issues:
Dictator's Son? Bongbong Marcos Says Now is Not the Time to Debate History
How Bongbong Marcos Explained His Oxford University Education
Bongbong Marcos Says He Has Never Seen Gold Treasures
Moreno, Isko
Date of Birth: Oct. 24, 1974
Place of Birth: Tondo, Manila
Positions held:
City Councilor, Manila 1st District (1998-2004)
Vice Mayor, City Manila (2007-2016)
Mayor, City of Manila (2019-present)
Position on key issues:
How a President Isko Moreno Will Address Corruption in Government
Isko Moreno Rejects 'Political Butterfly' Criticism, Criticizes Independent Rival
Isko Moreno Says He'll Be 'Fearless' in Defending West Philippine Sea
Pacquiao, Manny
Date of Birth: Dec. 17, 1978
Hometown: General Santos City
Positions held:
Representative, Sanggani Lone District (2010-2016)
Senator (2016-present)
Position on key issues:
Good Intentions Not Enough? Pacquiao Answers Leadership Question
Pacquiao Tells Racists to 'Fight Me Instead,' Joins Calls to #StopAsianHate
Pacquiao Starts Ayuda Challenge to Urge Rivals to Share Their Wealth
Robredo, Leni
Date of Birth: April 23, 1965
Place of Birth: Naga City, Camarines Sur
Positions held:
Representative, Camarines Sur 3rd District (2013-2016)
Vice President (2016-present)
Positions on key issues:
Leni Robredo Unveils Jobs Plan for 'Hardworking, Agile' Filipinos
Move People, Not Cars: Leni Robredo Seeks 'Better Normal' for Commuters
Robredo Says Yes to Same-Sex Unions, No to Abortion
Vice Presidential Candidates
Atienza, Lito
Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1941
Place of Birth: San Andres, Manila
Positions held:
General Manager, National Housing Authority (1988)
Assemblyman, At large congressional district of Manila (1984-1986)
Vice Mayor, Manila (1992-1998)
Mayor, Manila (1998-2007)
Secretary, DENR (2007-2009)
Representative, BUHAY partylist (2013-present)
Position on key issues:
Lito Atienza Says 'When Men Get Pregnant', He'll Back Same-Sex Marriage
Hope for ABS-CBN Franchise? New Vote Sought, This Time in House Plenary
Bello, Walden
Date of Birth: Nov. 11, 1945
Place of Birth: Cardona, Rizal
Position held:
Representative, Akbayan partylist (2007-2015)
Position on key issues:
With F-Bomb on Primetime TV, VP Bet Walden Bello Says Marcos Candidacy a Joke
West Philippine Sea or South China Sea? The Difference Matters
Duterte-Carpio, Sara
Date of Birth: May 31, 1978
Place of Birth: Davao City
Positions held:
Vice Mayor, Davao City (2007-2010)
Mayor, Davao City (2010-2013, 2016-present)
Position on key issues:
Sara Duterte Explains VP Run, Her Father Sees Bongbong Marcos' Hand
Sara Duterte Warns Supporters: Don't Fall for 'Campaign Fund' Scam
Sara Duterte Accuses Mon Tulfo of Writing Gossip, Marites Behavior
Ong, Willie
Date of Birth: Oct. 24, 1963
Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines
Position held:
Consultant, Department of Health (2010-2015)
Position on key issues:
The Doc Willie Ong is In: How the VP Bet Plans to Uplift Healthcare
Doc Willie Ong Says Daily COVID Numbers Bad for Mental Health
Pangilinan, Francis
Date of Birth: Aug. 24, 1963
Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines
Positions held:
Councilor, Quezon City (1988-1992)
Senator (2001-2013, 2016-present)
Position on key issues:
Spend Money on Agri Farms, Not Troll Farms: Pangilinan
Pangilinan Bill Seeks Six Additional Benefits for Health Frontliners
Pangilinan Bill Seeks Pension for Farmers, Fisherfolk
Sotto, Vicente III
Date of Birth: Aug. 24, 1948
Place of Birth: Manila, Philippines
Positions held:
Vice Mayor, Quezon City (1988-1992)
Senator, (1992-2004, 2010-present)
Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board (2008-2009)
Position on key issues:
Tito Sotto Says He's 'Not at All' Anti-Gay, Explains SOGIE Stand
How to Pass Cha-Cha in the Senate? Sotto Says Keep it Economic
'To Each His Own': Sotto Says Filipinos Should Be Free to Take Ivermectin
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