More senatorial aspirants are expected to file their candidacies today, Sunday, and up to midnight tomorrow, Monday, the deadline for filing certificates of candidacy for the 12 Senate slots to be contested in the coming election.

Pichay, the second administration candidate to file his certificate of candidacy for senator after Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon, was nominated by President Arroyo, Lakas-CMD chairperson, Speaker Jose de Venecia, Lakas-CMD president, and Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan, secretary-general.

Others who filed their senatorial bids yesterday were: Martin D. Bautista, Adrian O. Sison, Zosimo Jesus M. Paredes II, all of the Ang Kapatiran; Danton R. Remoto of Ang Ladlad; and Orlando C. Abitona, a former public teacher running as an independent candidate.

Their certificates of candidacy were officially received by lawyer Jocelyn de Mesa of the Comelec Law Department headed by Director Alioden D. Dalaig.

Juvind M. Culaton and Oscar Namuag, also of the Law Department, attended to the prospective candidates.

Pichay expressed the hope that his filing of candidacy will end speculations of infighting in the administration coalition arising from the inclusion of erstwhile opposition members in the Unity Ticket.

"The administration coalition remains as solid as ever and will work hard for the victory of administration candidates," Pichay said.

Among those who accompanied Pichay to the Comelec were members of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) which he heads. The NCFP contingent included Grandmasters Mark Paragua, Nelson Mariano, Joey Antonio, and NCFP directors Willie Abalos and Rod Dumuk, and lawyer Rommel Tacorda.

Last Friday, Pichay was endorsed during the launching of his candidacy by Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

Remoto, a Palanca awardee for literature and a holder of Bachelor and Master of Arts English degrees from Ateneo de Manila University, filed his senatorial bid after the Comelec denied party-list accreditation to Ang Ladlad.

"Our lawyer will file a motion for reconsideration on Comelec’s decision to deny us party-list accreditation but while waiting with bated breath, we won’t be left high and dry. We have decided to bring our fight direct to the Senate. We cannot disappoint our millions of supporters who have been waiting for us to run in this election," Remoto said.

An English professor at Ateneo and author of eight books, Remoto said of the country’s 43.5 million registered voters, Ang Lalad claims a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituency of 10 percent or 4.35 million votes.

Bautista, Paredes and Sison are running as official candidates of Ang Kapatiran which promotes a platform-based politics with clear and specific policy objectives aimed at enhancing the common good and promoting the politics of virtue and of duty.

Their certificates of nomination were signed by Ang Kapatiran president Mario Ongkiko, chairman Manolo K. Dayrit and secretary Reynaldo D. Pacheco.

Bautista, 44, is a gastroenterologist graduate from the University of the Philippines. He and his wife Sylvia, a pulmonary specialist, lived in Oklahoma, USA, for 10 years, established a successful medical practice, raised their four daughters and came back to the Philippines to help their country.

Sison, a practicing lawyer, worked as law assistant and senior associate in several law firms. He is on leave teaching broadcast and telecommunications policy at Ateneo Electronics and Communications Department.

Paredes was undersecretary and executive director of the Presidential Commission on VFA. He served in the military for 17 years, became a member of the Philippine Bar in 1982, served in various capacities at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process from 19992003.

The last to file his certificate of candidacy yesterday was Abitona who arrived at the Comelec 20 minutes before 5 p.m. Bringing with him several copies of his platform of government, Abitona, 69, is a retired public school teacher. He is a registered voter at Precinct 1-A, Brgy. Del Carmen, Balihan, Bohol.