Halalan 2016: What you need to know about the VP candidates

Thea Alberto-Masakayan, ABS-CBN News

Posted at 16 Apr 2016 11:11 AM

Have you decided who to vote for in the May 9 elections?

If you want to find out more about vice-presidential bets, here are some information you should check out.

Alan Peter S. Cayetano. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

1. ALAN CAYETANO

He was early in the game, with subtle political advertisements airing on TV as early as 2014. It was obvious he wanted to go beyond his Senate post, but it was not clear who he was to run with.

Alan Peter S. Cayetano filed his certificate of candidacy without a running mate. However, he exhibited patience and perseverance--even flying to Davao City to convince Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte to take him in. When he succeeded, it became a full blast Duterte-Cayetano campaign, a Davao-Taguig alliance.

But is having a headline-worthy running mate boosting Cayetano's chances for the Vice Presidency?

FULL PROFILE: Alan Cayetano

Francis "Chiz" Escudero. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

2. FRANCIS ESCUDERO

Young and driven, Francis "Chiz" Escudero is among the youngest politicians to hold a national position. Now, he wants to be Philippines' no. 2 leader, banking on years of experience at the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Sorsogon native and former TV host is known for his poetic manner of speaking, which either delights fans or annoys critics. At one point in his political career, he was the spokesman for movie star and 2004 presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. no less.

But in his biggest political move yet, will he be able to sweet-talk his way to the vice presidency?

FULL PROFILE: CHIZ ESCUDERO

Gringo Honasan. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News

3. GRINGO HONASAN

Gringo Honasan is a man of contradictions. He was a dutiful soldier, the youngest to be named colonel in Philippine history, and then became a coup plotter. He was a senator for two terms and then became a fugitive again.

He surprised the public by agreeing to run for vice president, partnering with Jejomar Binay, who was once his political enemy.

With an economics degree from the University of the Philippines and an impressive military experience under his belt, Honasan seeks to improve all things concerning Philippine security--national security, food security, job security, and personal security.

FULL PROFILE: GRINGO HONASAN

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

4. FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

Love him or hate him.

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has the ability to engage or enrage crowds, stir endless debates, and get historians and revisionists discussing.

He feels being a Marcos is a blessing, but to his critics, that name is a curse, one that evokes memories of oppression, poverty, and human rights violations.

However, Bongbong's allies are loyal as ever, working double-time to put a Marcos as near as possible to the highest seat in the land. If political surveys are to be believed, Marcos supporters are on track.

This got #NeverAgain calls to grow louder, and it has revived fears of martial rule.

But whose campaign will the public heed in the 2016 elections?

FULL PROFILE: FERDINAND 'BONGBONG' MARCOS

Leni Robredo. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

5. LENI ROBREDO

When she lost her husband Jesse to a plane crash in 2012, Leni Robredo gained nationwide sympathy. Little did she know that the tragedy would pave the way for a major political journey.

Now, the soft-spoken widow is raking in support not just from her home province Camarines Sur, as shown in her slow but steady rise in survey rankings.

The only lady among vice-presidential hopefuls, Robredo is known for her simplicity, for riding buses to Naga, for refusing to have bodyguards, and for being a staunch believer of good governance. But are these qualities enough for people to elect her to the second highest post in the land?

FULL PROFILE: LENI ROBREDO

Antonio Trillanes. Fernando Sepe, Jr, ABS-CBN News

6. ANTONIO TRILLANES

Antonio Trillanes claims to be the most productive senator, with 63 bills passed into law and over a thousand bills and resolutions filed. But he is also criticized for being among Senate's top spenders, for three years in a row.

From being a prolific legislator, Trillanes now wants to be part of the executive branch as vice president. So, even as poll surveys claim he has very low chances of winning, he's still continuing his campaign, true to his trait of being as an unrelenting soldier.

FULL PROFILE: ANTONIO TRILLANES