Last updated: March 13, 2025, 3:00 p.m.
In May 2025, Filipino voters will decide who fills the seats in the Senate, the House of Representatives, and all local government units (LGUs) nationwide. While the national elections are crucial in determining which lawmakers make up the 20th Congress, local elections will decide who oversees affairs from the provincial to the barangay level.
The responsibilities that come with being a voter can be daunting, so here’s a list of everything you need to know about the 2025 elections.
For the latest news and updates, bookmark this page.
Table of Contents
- Important Dates
- Seats Up for Election
- Senatorial Candidate Primers
- FAQs
- Further Reading
- Latest News and Updates
Important Dates
The whole election period spans five months. What’s expected to happen during this time?
- January 12 to June 11: Election period. A gun ban is imposed during this time.
- February 11 to May 10: Campaign period for nationally elected positions.
- March 28 to May 10: Campaign period for locally elected positions.
- April 13 to May 12: Voting for overseas voters.
- April 17 to April 18: Election silence in observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Candidates are not allowed to campaign during this time.
- April 28 to April 30: Voting for local absentee voters.
- May 11 to May 12: Liquor ban.
- May 12: Election day.
- June 30: Starting date of new term for elected officials
Seats Available for Election
A total of 18,255 seats are up for election in 2025. These are:
- 12 senators
- 63 party-list representatives
- 254 representatives of legislative districts
- 82 governors
- 82 vice governors
- 840 Sangguniang Panlalawigan members
- 149 city mayors
- 149 city vice mayors
- 1,690 Sangguniang Panlungsod members
- 1,493 municipal mayors
- 1,493 municipal vice mayors
- 11,948 Sangguniang Bayan members
Senatorial Candidate Primers
We take a closer look at the Top 15 senatorial candidates based on the January 2025 surveys by polling firms Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
FAQs
What if I missed voter registrations? Voter registration closed on September 30, 2024. You will have to wait for the next registration period, which comes after the midterm elections and before the next elections in 2028. In the meantime, you can still take part in the elections by assisting in campaign efforts for your preferred candidates or volunteer at your local Comelec office to volunteer and assist voters.
How do I know where my precinct is? If you still have your acknowledgement receipt from your voter registration, a clerk may have written down your assigned precinct and voting center there. You may also check the Comelec Precinct Finder: https://precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph/voter_precinct
Do I need a voter’s ID when I go to the voting center? No, you do not need a voter’s ID, but you still need to be a registered voter. To verify your identity, you have to bring at least one valid ID.
Can I take pictures at the voting center? As a general rule, you are not allowed to take pictures inside the voting room, and you are especially not allowed to take pictures of your ballot or voter receipt. Make sure to throw your voter receipt in the provided bin once you’ve made sure that your registered votes are correct.
Who’s allowed to carry guns during the gun ban? Only police, military, and members of government law enforcement agencies in complete uniform and while on official duty are allowed to bear firearms during the gun ban from January 12 to June 11. According to a Comelec resolution to lessen election violence, violators of the ban will be punished with imprisonment of one to six years and may be disqualified from running for public office and deprived of the right of suffrage.
How much are candidates allowed to spend on election campaigns? According to the Omnibus Election Code and the Synchronized Election Law of 1991, senatorial, congressional, and local candidates can only spend P5 per registered voter in their constituency if they are not part of or not supported by a political party. If they have a political party’s backing, they can only spend P3 per registered voter.
Further Reading
Latest News and Updates
March 13
ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo Still Not Disqualified
Comelec has dismissed a second petition to disqualify ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo. The order was released to the media on Tuesday, March 11. The petition was filed by disbarred lawyer Berteni Cataluña Causing and Diosdado Villar Calonge, who represented Graft-free Philippine Foundation Incorporated.
According to Comelec, the petitioner “failed to submit a Proof of Service of the Petition with complete annexes” to Tulfo.
The first disqualification petition, lodged against Tulfo and other members of his family, has also been junked.
Sen. Bong Go Emerges as Top Preferred Candidate
Polling firm Pulse Asia has released the results of a new survey conducted from February 20 to 26, revealing that Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has overtaken ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo as the top preferred senatorial candidate. The new rankings for the top 12 senatorial bets are as follows:
- Sen. Bong Go, 58.1 percent votes
- Rep. Erwin Tulfo, 56.6 percent
- Tito Sotto, 49 percent
- Sen. Bong Revilla, 46.1 percent
- Sen. Bato dela Rosa, 44.3 percent
- Willie Revillame, 42.3 percent
- Ben Tulfo, 40.7 percent
- Manny Pacquiao, 39.9 percent
- Sen. Lito Lapid, 39.4 percent
- Mayor Abby Binay, 37.6 percent
- Sen. Pia Cayetano, 37.5 percent
- Rep. Camille Villar, 36.6 percent
March 12
Rodrigo Duterte’s Still in Davao Mayoral Race After ICC Arrest
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said on Wednesday, March 12, that former President Rodrigo Duterte is still in the race for Davao City mayor even after he was arrested on Tuesday, March 11 and turned over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Ang pagka-aresto ng isang tao sa isang binibintang na krimen, kahit dito sa ating bansa, ay hindi po senyales upang tanggalin ang pangalan ng kandidato, upang i-disqualify siya, o upang siya ay mawalan ng karapatan, civil and political,” Garcia said. He added that a candidate under trial may only be disqualified if they are convicted.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings related to the war on drugs.
February 25
Comelec to Use Malls as Voting Centers
As of February 25, Comelec has signed agreements with eight Philippine mall chain owners to adapt select branches as voting precincts on May 12. This includes some SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, and Ayala Malls branches nationwide. Fora Filinvest Mall in Tagaytay City, KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro, and NCCC Mall Palawan have also signed agreements with Comelec.
Of 42 malls across the country, 15 in Metro Manila will serve as polling centers for different electoral districts. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia says that airconditioned malls will make it more convenient for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and expectant mothers to vote during the elections.
For the upcoming elections, Comelec has 438,500 established precincts and 93,287 clustered precincts in public schools.
February 19
Comelec Imposes Anti-Discrimination Rules for Elections
In a new resolution promulgated on Wednesday, February 19, Comelec declared that discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender and HIV status and discrimination against persons with disability (PWDs) constitute as election offenses.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said that the new guidelines were issued to ensure a fair and non-discriminatory campaign period. “We are classifying violation of the anti-discrimination resolution of the commission as [an] election offense,” he said. “Therefore, if something like that happens, we will not hesitate to file a case and disqualify those who violate that.”
According to the Philippine News Agency, Garcia also said that he hoped people would immediately file cases against violators instead of waiting for Comelec to file the cases motu proprio, or without formal request from another party.
February 17
Lawyer Files Disqualification Case Against Tulfos
A disqualification case has been filed against five members of the Tulfo clan, including senatorial bets ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo and broadcaster Ben Tulfo.
On Monday, February 17, lawyer Virgilio Garcia filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify the members of the Tulfo family from seeking public office on the grounds that they constitute a political dynasty.
Aside from the two brothers running for senator, the petition also includes their sister Turismo party-list nominee Wanda Tulfo Teo, Senator Raffy Tulfo’s wife ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua Tulfo, and their son Quezon City Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
While the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, no anti-dynasty law has been passed to enforce a ban.
February 16
Grace Poe Backs Senatorial Candidates Bam Aquino, Tito Sotto, and Pia Cayetano
Crossing party lines, Senator Grace Poe has expressed her support for candidates Bam Aquino, Tito Sotto, and Senator Pia Cayetano in their senatorial bid.
The three candidates — all from different parties — appeared at the rally on Sunday, February 16, at the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list grand rally in San Carlos, Pangasinan.
“Kailangan natin ng mga talagang magtatrabaho,” Poe said. “At ito’y ginagarantiya ko na si [former] Senator Bam, kahit iyong ating pulitika’y magkakaiba, pare-pareho ang gusto natin, na maging maayos ang ating bansa.”
Poe also explained that during a controversy regarding her citizenship, Aquino, Cayetano, and Sotto had given her their support. “Noong nagkaroon ng issue na tatanggalin ba ako sa Senado dahil hindi nila alam kung sino biological parents, silang tatlo, Senator Pia, Senator Bam, at si Senator Tito Sotto ang mga bumoto para manatili ako doon, kaya malalaman mo yung integridad,” she said.
February 15
Comelec Reminds Candidates to Disclose Campaign Materials and Expenses
On Saturday, February 15, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded candidates to use “lawful campaign materials” and disclose their expenses through their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
According to the Synchronized Elections Law of 1991, all candidates and parties must file their SOCE within 30 days after the election. For the 2025 elections, candidates must file their SOCE on or before June 11.
Additionally, Comelec says that candidates must use environmentally sustainable materials for their campaigns, and that they must inventory these materials in a report to be submitted after the election, alongside the SOCE. The new Comelec resolution also requires candidates and parties to conduct clean-ups and other activities to offset their carbon footprint, like tree-planting.
February 13
At the PDP-Laban Proclamation Rally, Rodrigo Duterte Says ‘Kill Senators’
On Thursday evening, former President Rodrigo Duterte appeared at the PDP-Laban proclamation rally to endorse its senatorial slate as the party-list chairman.
Praising senatorial candidate SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta, Duterte quipped that in order for him to get a Senate seat, the incumbent senators had to be killed.
“Kailangan natin [siya] sa Senado,” Duterte said. “Ngayon, marami kasi sila — ano dapat ang gawin natin? Edi patayin natin ‘yong mga senador ngayon para mabakante.” The room erupted in laughs and cheers.
“Pero kawawa naman,” he added.
Other candidates in the PDP-Laban slate include singer Jimmy Bondoc, Senator Bato Dela Rosa, Sen. Bong Go, former DILG Undersecretary Atty. Jayvee Hinlo, former Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Atty. Raul Lambino, former Executive Secretary Atty. Vic Rodriguez, actor Philip “Ipe” Salvador, and Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy — who is in detainment and did not attend the rally.
The rally was held at Club Filipino, San Juan City, which is also known as the venue of the late former President Corazon Aquino’s inauguration on February 25, 1986.
Doc Willie Ong Drops Out of Senate Race
On Thursday, February 13, media personality Doc Willie Ong announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the 2025 senatorial elections.
“I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for the 2025 elections so I can focus more on taking care of my health,” he said in a Facebook post.
Ong added that he will continue to “support good governance” and candidates who share his ideals. “Our advocacy to help the poor Filipinos continues even in my private capacity,” he said.
In the latest survey by polling firm Pulse Asia, Ong ranked the 19th most preferred senatorial candidate, garnering a 20.2 percent vote among 2,400 respondents nationwide.
February 12
Comelec Warns Against Peddlers of ‘Secretly Shaded’ Ballots
On Wednesday, February 12, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned candidates against syndicates claiming to peddle ballots that have been “secretly shaded.” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia says the peddlers would “invisibly shade” the ovals of favored candidates using cuticle remover, rendering a ballot invalid once it goes through the counting machine. “The vote for the rival will end up without a result, and no vote will be credited,” Garcia explained, adding that the scheme was impossible.
On Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested three individuals for allegedly attempting the modus and trying to extort P90 million from two candidates in Cagayan in the process.
February 11
Senatorial Hopefuls Kick Off Election Campaigns
Various senate slates launched their election campaigns on Tuesday, February 11. The Marcos administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas held its proclamation rally in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, a Marcos stronghold. The state-run Philippine News Agency says that the location selection was the administration’s “strategy to consolidate support from Northern Luzon.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also appeared at the rally, where he said that the coalition was made of candidates who have had years of experience in public service. “Our candidates are not ordinary, unlike the other parties who are hard up to get members,” he also said.
Meanwhile, former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino launched their campaign with a mass at the University of the Philippines Chapel in Quezon City. They held their proclamation rally in Dasmariñas City Arena in the vote-rich province of Cavite, where they were accompanied by former Vice President Leni Robredo — who ran with Pangilinan for the presidency and vice presidency in 2022 — and former Senator Leila de Lima.
The PDP-Laban slate is set to hold its proclamation rally on Thursday, February 13.
Election Campaign for National Positions Begins
The 90-day election campaign period for national positions began on Tuesday, February 11. Candidates gunning for senatorial positions and party-list representative seats are expected to launch their respective campaigns then. Campaign efforts include rallies, motorcades, and putting up posters in designated areas.
Comelec’s “Oplan Baklas” also started on Tuesday. The operation involves taking down campaign materials that violate election rules, which mostly include posters put up in non-designated areas. According to ABS-CBN News, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia led the operation in Tondo, Manila.
Garcia called the operation a symbol and a sign for political aspirants to take the campaign rules seriously. “Pagka nagkabit sila doon sa mga lugar na hindi dapat sila nagkakabit, tatanggalin at tatanggalin namin,” he said.
In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, he also said that the Comelec is taking down posters attached to trees in line with the commission’s thrust to make election campaigns more environmentally friendly. “‘Wag gagamit ng non-biodegradable materials, ‘yong mga plastic o ‘yong mga na tarpaulin,” he said. “Hangga’t maaari, ‘yong biodegradable, ‘yong pupuwede nating matunaw at magamit muli.”
The election campaign period for LGU positions and legislative district representatives begins on March 28.
No Opposition in Pulse Asia’s Top 12 Senatorial Survey for January 2025
A survey by polling firm Pulse Asia released on Monday, February 10, shows that ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo maintains his standing as the top preferred senatorial candidate for the midterm elections.
In the survey conducted from January 18 to January 25, senatorial bets under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s slate continue to dominate the Top 12. Aside from Tulfo, these include former Senator Tito Sotto, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Bong Revilla, Sen. Imee Marcos, former PNP Chief Ping Lacson, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, the lone opposition candidate to make it to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey’s Top 12, did not make the cut in the Pulse Asia Survey.
SWS conducted its survey from January 17 to January 20, roughly the same time the Pulse Asia survey was conducted.
Here are the preferred senatorial candidates as of January 2025, according to Pulse Asia:
- Rep. Erwin Tulfo, 62.8 percent votes
- Sen. Bong Go, 50.4 percent
- Former Sen. Tito Sotto, 50.2 percent
- Ben Tulfo, 46.2 percent
- Sen. Pia Cayetano, 46.1 percent
- Sen. Bong Revilla, 46 percent
- Imee Marcos, 43.3 percent
- Ping Lacson, 42.4 percent
- Willie Revillame, 41.9 percent
- Bato Dela Rosa, 41.2 percent
- Abby Binay, 41.1 percent
- Manny Pacquiao, 40.6 percent
