Seasoned lawmakers Tito Sotto and Ping Lacson file their respective certificate of candidacy to join the Senate race in 2025. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Two political titans eyeing to return to the Senate emphasized on Wednesday the importance of keeping traditions and restoring decorum in Congress, clashing with the vision of some fresh faces seeking to reform the practices.

• Philippines enters new election season as candidacy filing for 2025 kicks off

During the second day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections, former senators Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Panfilo "Ping" Lacson looked back on their earlier years when "proper decorum" was strictly observed in the upper chamber.

• 'Ganyan na ba ang nangyayari dito sa atin?' DOH budget hearing ends in mic scuffle

"I think procedures are very important. Decorum. That will give a better environment not only for the senators or the congressmen but also the resource persons. Proper decorum, parliamentary rules, procedures should be strictly followed," said Sotto, a former Senate President.

"Nang nanungkulan bilang SP si [Sotto], malaki ang improvement sa decorum. Natandaan ninyo sabay-sabay kami pumapasok sa session hall. Di parang hinalong palengke... Talagang nandoon ang propriety... Gusto ko maulit muli yan," Lacson said.

Lacson and Sotto made the comment amid reports that some younger lawmakers almost got into a brawl while inside the plenary hall.

• Zubiri: Heated exchange with Cayetano a 'misunderstanding'

The two, however, stopped short of criticizing the current leadership.

"We are not in a position to judge the present crop of senators," Lacson said.

• In bid for 4th Senate term, Lito Lapid touts experience and shuns media Q&A

Aside from the pair, other big names who filed their COCs on Wednesday are incumbent senators Imee Marcos and Lito Lapid, who are both seeking reelection in 2025.

CHALLENGING TRADITIONSSocial media personality Diwata, or Deo Balbuena in real life, is the 4th nominee of Vendors party-list. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

Challenging the political heavyweights are new aspirants, most of whom come from ordinary backgrounds, but nonetheless convinced they can make a change once elected. 

• TikTokers, vloggers capitalize on clout, common touch in venture into politics

One of them was social media personality Diwata, or Deo Balbuena in real life, who is the fourth nominee of Vendors party-list, a group seeking to represent street vendors in Congress.

"Alam ko pong marami nang party-list pero wala pa po talagang nagre-represent para magkaroon ng boses ang maninindang Pilipino kaya nandito kami ngayon," Diwata said.

A Teacher party-list led by nominee Juliet Cortuna. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN NewsMeanwhile, A Teacher party-list nominee led by nominee Juliet Cortuna, wants to be a new voice of teachers in the House of Representatives as she admiited they have opposing view with the current teachers' groups in Congress.

"Most of the time napagkakamalan kaming ACT Teachers, and with due respect to them siguro sila yung mga leftist, may kanya kanya po kaming adbokasiya at objectives. Manila Teachers for instance ito yung nagbibigay ng loans sa mga teachers, which we oppose that we do not want out teachers to be berdened by salary deductions,' Cortuna said.

In total, 10 successfully submitted their COCs for senator on Wednesday, while 11 party-list groups submitted their nomination papers. 

The filing of candidacies will run until Oct. 8.

RELATED VIDEO