More and more aspiring candidates have continued to file Certificate of Candidacy (COC) since October 1 for the 2025 Philippine midterm elections, including several celebrities and social media personalities who surprised the public with their decision to run for public office.
Some are seeking re-election, while others are vying for office for the very first time. Here are the celebrities and social media personalities running in the 2025 Philippine midterm elections.
Enzo Pineda
Photo: Enzo Pineda
Enzo Pineda is among the first celebrities who declared his intention to run for public office. He filed his COC for councilor in Quezon City’s fifth district on October 1, alongside his girlfriend, actress Michelle Vito. The actor won the title of First Prince in theย fifth season ofย “StarStruck,” and appeared in “Bar Boys,” “Ang Probinsyano,” and “Pusong Ligaw.”
Ion Perez
Photo: Tarlac Forum
Vice Ganda’s partner, Ion Perez, surprised his fans as he filed his COC on October 1. He’s running for councilor in Concepcion, Tarlac, under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. Ion first joinedย “It’s Showtime”ย in September 2018 to audition for the “Kuya Escort” role, eventually becoming a regular host on the noontime show.
Marco Gumabao
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Marco Gumabao aims to take a spot in politics by running as a representative of the fourth district of Camarines Sur under the National Unity Party. His girlfriend Cristine Reyes accompanied him when he filed his COC. On Instagram, a netizen asked what he can “bring to the table,” noting he doesn’t have a background in politics. The actor-model emphasized that he wants to “break the stigma” surrounding actors who run for public office, challenging the perception that they don’t take it seriously.
Rosmar Tan
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Social media personality and entrepreneurย Rosmar Tan is trying her luck to secure a seat as a councilor in Manila’s first district. She’s running as an independent candidate. In an interview with the press, she stated that she had no plans to run in the upcoming midterm elections but was encouraged to do so by her friends, believing that the people need her. Rosmar gained a huge following on social media, particularly TikTok, from selling beauty products online.
Deo “Diwata” Balbuena
Photo: Diwata Pares Overload
The social media personality known for the viral Diwata Pares Overload is now running for public office. Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, shocked the public as he filed a certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) as the fourth nominee of the Vendors party-list group. He reiterated that the group aims to provide support to vendors as well as small business owners.
Arjo Atayde
Arjo Atayde, who’s known for his roles in “Cattleya Killer,” “Ang Probinsyano,” and “Bagaman,” is seeking re-election asย representative of the first district of Quezon City under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas party. According to a report in Inquirer.net, he vowed to push for the cityโs flood control project if elected.
Alfred Vargas
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Alfred Vargas is also vying for re-election in Quezon City as a city councilor in the fifth district. He previously served as a city councilor for the second district from 2010 to 2013 and subsequently as a representative for the fifth district from 2013 to 2022. The actor-model is famous for his role in “Encantadia.”
Richard Gomez
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Incumbent representative of Leyteโs fourth District Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Gomez, are both running for re-election in their respective positions. They filed their COC together.
The deadline for filing COC for the 2025 Philippine midterm elections is October 10.
