The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday junked the motions for reconsideration (MRs) filed by 18 senatorial aspirants previously declared as nuisance bets for the 2025 midterm elections.

Twenty-one senatorial aspirants filed their MRs before the poll body’s en banc on Friday. So far, the Comelec has released only 18 bets whose MRs were rejected.

The Comelec said the denied MRs were filed by: 

• Francis Leo Antonio Marcos

• Felipe Fernandez Montealto Jr.

• Orlando Caranto de Guzman

• Mauel Lim Andrada

• Sonny Miranda Pimentel

• Elpidio Rosero Rosales Jr. 

• Jaime Balmas

• Pedro Gonzales Ordiales

• John Rafael Campang

• Robeito Sembrano

• Romulo Tindoc San Ramon

• Fernando Fabian Diaz

• Luther Gascon Meniano

• Romeo Castro Macaraeg

• Subair Guinthum Mustapha

• Monqiue Solis Kokkinaras

• Berteni Cataluna Causing

• Alexander Encarnacion

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body will release the decision for the MRs for national candidates on Friday.

Garcia earlier said that 91 senatorial hopefuls filed their MRs after the poll body ruled that 117 bets have no bona fide intention to run for public office.

Meanwhile, for the local candidates, Garcia said the Comelec is eyeing to resolve the cases before the printing of the initial list by 13 December.

The Comelec en banc’s rejection means the aspirants can only appeal their nuisance candidate declaration before the Supreme Court.

Section 69 of the Omnibus Election Code defines a nuisance candidate as one who files a certificate of candidacy to put the election process in mockery or disrespute; to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of names; or if a candidate demonstrates that is has no bona fide intention to run for the office.

The weeklong filing of certificates of candidacy was conducted from 1 to 8 October 1, concluding with 183 senatorial hopefuls and 156 party-lists filing their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance.