Ion Perez, Marco Gumabao, Rosmar Tan, Diwata run for public office

Ion Perez, Marco Gumabao and Rosmar Tan. Image: Instagram/@pereziion27, @gumabaomarco, @rosmar2021

TV host Ion Perez, actor Marco Gumabao and vlogger Rosmar Tan are among the celebrities who have declared their intent for public service and filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm polls.

“It’s Showtime” host Perez is vying for a councilor post in Concepcion, Tarlac, while Gumabao is running for Camarines Sur 4th district representative. Gumabao filed his COC alongside his actress girlfriend Cristine Reyes.

Tan, meanwhile, is running for councilor in the 1st district of Manila. Tan, who also vied for Manila’s 4th district councilor post in 2022 but lost, said she was “urged” to run for public service to help more people.

Actor Enzo Pineda also filed his COC for councilor in the 5th district of Quezon City. Pineda was with his mother and his actress girlfriend Michelle Vito during the filing.

Another social media star who has tried his hand in politics is Deo Balbuena, more popularly known as Diwata. He filed certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) as the fourth nominee of the Vendors party-list group.

Among the celebrities who are seeking re-election in the midterm polls and have already filed their COCs are Arjo Atayde (Quezon City 1st district representative), Alfred Vargas (Quezon City 5th district councilor), Alex Castro (Bulacan vice governor), Jolo Revilla (Cavite 1st district representative), Lani Mercado (Cavite 2nd district representative), Yul Servo (Manila vice mayor) and Jaycee Parker (Angeles City councilor).

Aside from them, Tito Sotto, Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid are also seeking Senate reelection, and Manny Pacquiao is bidding for a Senate comeback.

Political hopefuls have until Oct. 8 to file their respective COCs.