EXPLAINER: What are the qualifications and requirements for aspiring candidates in the 2025 polls?
It's the certificate of candidacy (COC) filing season for the 2025 midterm elections, and aspiring candidates—whether they're political rookies or veterans—are taking their chances.
Some of them stir controversy because of their background and qualifications, with skeptics underscoring why the average private companies have higher standards and more stringent requirements. (Remember the popular fries brand that went viral with their "Miss Universe levels" of requirements?)
These seemingly questionable individuals, however, are well within their rights to run for public office under the eyes of the law.
Whether certain groups like it or not, it's a fair game for personalities like actor Marco Gumabao, It's Showtime host Ion Perez, entrepreneur and content creator Rosmarie "Rosmar" Tan-Pamulaklakin, and internet sensation Deo Balbuena of the "Diwata Pares Overload" craze; quirky individuals, who would be branded as "nuisance candidates," like "Intergalactic Space Ambassador," "Archangel Lucifer," and a supposed "husband" of Kris Aquino who now wants to "marry" Sen. Imee Marcos; and former politicians, despite their past and present controversies.
Here are the qualifications and requirements for those who are running for a position in the 2025 polls.
Requirements for senators
For aspiring members of the Senate, Article VI Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution states that they must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; at least 35 years old on election day; able to read and write; a registered voter; and a Philippine resident for at least two years before election day.
Elected senators will serve for six years starting June 30, noontime. They cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms.
The Senate shall be composed of 24 senators.
Requirements for district, party-list representatives
For aspiring House of Representatives members, Section 6 states that they must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; at least 25 years old on election day; able to read and write; a registered voter in the district whence they shall be elected; and a resident thereof for at least a day before election day.
According to Republic Act No. 7491, or the Party-List System Act, party-list representatives need to be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; a registered voter; a Philippine resident for at least a year before election day; able to read and write; a bona fide member of the party they seek to represent for at least 90 days before election day; and at least 25 years old on election day.
A youth sector nominee, meanwhile, must be at least 25 but not older than 30. Those who reach 30 during their term shall be allowed to continue until the expiration of their term.
Congressmen shall be elected for a three-year term starting June 30, noontime. They cannot serve for more than three consecutive terms.
Originally, the Constitution states that the House of Representatives must have 250 members, composed of up to 200 district representatives (80%) and 50 party-list members (20%).
Over time, the number of legislative districts has increased—and so did party-list groups. The current 19th Congress has 253 district representatives and 63 party-list representatives.
Requirements for governor, mayor, other local positions
For an aspiring local government unit official, Section 39 of the Local Government Code states that they must be a Filipino citizen; a registered voter in the barangay, municipality, city, province, or district (for sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang bayan) where they intend to be elected; a resident therein for at least a year before election day; and able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect.
In terms of age, an aspiring governor, vice governor, sangguniang panlalawigan member, mayor, vice mayor, or sangguniang panlungsod member must be at least 21 years old on election day.
Candidates for punong barangay and sangguniang barangay member must be at least 18, while candidates for the sangguniang kabataan must be at least 15 but not over 21.
As stated in Section 40 of the Local Government Code, individuals cannot run for local positions if they were sentenced with final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude or were imprisoned for at least a year within two years after serving their sentence; removed from office due to administrative case; were convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the Republic; have dual citizenship; are fugitives from justice in criminal or non-political cases here or abroad; are permanent residents in a foreign country or have acquired the right to reside abroad; are insane or feeble-minded.
Rules for COC filing
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), aspiring candidates must file their COCs personally or through an authorized representative from Oct. 1 to 8, including Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Comelec has shared digital copies of the necessary forms for aspiring candidates on its website.
They must file five legible copies of their COC and have it sworn before a notary public or any official authorized to administer an oath. (Comelec officials aren't allowed to do so even in their capacities as notary public.)
They must not leave blank entries, as they have to indicate "N/A" if an entry is not applicable. There will be no filing fees imposed.
Party-list groups must also file their certificates of nomination and acceptance of nomination. Each party must submit 10 nominees, and having less than 10 names shall not be accepted, according to Comelec.
Aspiring candidates are allowed to have a maximum of three companions during filing, while Senate hopefuls may have four.
Aspirants will only be considered candidates only at the start of the campaign period.
National candidates may campaign for 90 days, from Feb. 11 to May 10, 2025, while local candidates may campaign for 45 days, from March 28 to May 10, 2025.
Comelec said unlawful acts of omission applicable to candidates would only apply upon the start of the campaign period.
Any COC filed with the incorrect office shall be deemed as "not filed," it added.
In terms of substitution, doing so due to withdrawal of the original aspirant is allowed only until the last day of COC filing. An independent candidate may not have a substitute. Substitutions after Oct. 8 are only allowed in case of death and disqualification of the original aspirant.
The midterm elections are on May 12, 2025.
Overseas Filipinos may vote from April 13 to May 12, while local absentees—AFP, the Philippine National Police, and media practitioners—may vote from April 28 to 30.
Comelec said there are 18,272 national and local political posts in 2025, which is 200 more than the posts from the 2022 polls.