The Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved yesterday the candidacies of 8 people running for president, another 8 running for vice president and 58 more eyeing senatorial seats in the upcoming 2010 elections.

In yesterday’s press conference at the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, the poll body’s chairman, Jose Melo said that only eight of the 99 presidential hopefuls were granted the right to run in next year’s elections. They are:

• Aquino, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” III (Liberal Party)
• Delos Reyes, John Carlos “JC” (Ang Kapatiran)
• Ejercito Estrada, Joseph M. (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO)
• Gordon, Richard J. (Bagumbayan)
• Madrigal, Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” AS. (Independent)
• Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. C. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Villanueva, Eddie C. (Bangon Pilipinas)
• Villar, Manuel Jr. B. (Nacionalista Party)

For the eight vice presidentiables, the list includes:

• Binay, Jejomar C. (PDP-Laban)
• Chipeco, Dominador “Jun” Jr. F. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Fernando, Bayani F. (Bagumbayan)
• Legarda, Loren B. (National People’s Coalition)
• Manzano, Edu B. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Roxas, Manuel “Mar” II A. (Liberal Party)
• Sonza, Jose “Jay” Y. (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan)
• Yasay, Perfecto Jr. R. (Bangon Pilipinas)

Meanwhile, the 58 out of the 158 senatorial aspirants with approved candidacies are:

• Acosta, Jr. Nereus O. (LP)
• Albani, Shariff Ibrahim H. (KBL)
• Alonto, Zafrullah M. (Bangon Pilipinas)
• Baraquel, Ana. Theresa H. (LP)
• Bautista, J.V. Larion (PMP)
• Bautista, Martin D. (LP)
• Bello, Silvestre III H. (Lakas)
• Biazon, Rozanno Rufino B. (LP)
• Revilla, Ramon “Bong” B. (Lakas)
• Caunan, Henry B. (PDP-Laban)
• Cayetano, Pilar Juliana US. (NP)
• David, Rizalito Y. (Ang Kapatiran)
• De Venecia, Jose III P. (PMP)
• Defensor-Santiago, Miriam P.(People’s Reform Party)
• Drilon, Franklin M. (LP)
• Enrile, Juan Ponce (PMP)
• Estrada, Jinggoy E. (PMP)
• Guico, Ramon, Jr. N. (Lakas)
• Guingona, Teofisto III D. (LP)
• Imbong, Jo Aurea M. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Inocencio, Ma. Katherine Luningning R. (Bangon Pilipinas)
• Lacson, Alexander L. (LP)
• Lambino, Raul L. (Lakas)
• Langit, Rey M. (Lakas)
• Lao, Yasmin B. (LP)
• Lapid, Manuel M. (Lakas)
• Lood, Alma A. (KBL)
• Lozada, Jose Apolinario Jr. L (PMP)
• Maambong, Regalado E. (KBL)
• Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. R. (NP)
• Maza, Liza L. (Independent)
• Millora, Ma. Judea G. (KBL)
• Mitra, Ramon B. (NP)
• Ocampo, Ramoncito P. (Bangong Pilipinas)
• Ocampo, Saturnino C. (Bayan Muna)
• Ople, Susan V. (NP)
• Osmeña, Sergio III D. (Independent)
• Palparan, Jovito Jr. S. (Independent)
• Papin, Imelda A. (KBL)
• Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II M. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Pimentel, Gwendolyn D. (PDP-Laban)
• Plaza, Rodolfo Rodrigo g. (NPC)
• Princesa, Reynaldo R. (Bangon Pilipinas)
• Querubin, Ariel O. (NP)
• Recto, Ralph G. (LP)
• Remulla, Gilbert Cesar C. (NP)
• Riñoza-Plazo, Maria Gracia DV. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Roco, Sonia M. (LP)
• Sison, Adrian O. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Sotto, Vicente III C. (NPC)
• Tamano, Adel A. (NP)
• Tamayo, Reginald B. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Tarrazona, Hector M. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Tatad, Francisco S. (Grand Alliance for Democracy)
• Tinsay, Alexander B. (Bangon Pilipinas))
• Valdehuesa, Manuel Jr. E. (Ang Kapatiran)
• Villanueva, Hector L. (KBL)
• Virgines, Israel N. (Bangon Pilipinas)