Only eight presidential aspirants are left to slug it out in the May 2010 elections.

Last Tuesday, December 15, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) released the names of candidates permitted to run for president next year: former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, senators Manuel “Manny” Villar, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, Richard Gordon, and Jamby Madrigal, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Olongapo City councilor JC delos Reyes, and religious leader Eddie Villanueva.

The filing period for political candidates ended last December 1. A total of 99 individuals filed certificates of candidacy for the highest office in the land.

But, according to Comelec Commissioner Jose Melo, several people did not make the list because they seem to lack one important requirement: the resources and political machinery to launch a national campaign.

The final selection is presently being questioned by some of the excluded candidates. Environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, for instance, a fixture in several presidential debates and forums in television, said his elimination is unfair.

Other applicants who are vocally protesting the list of Comelec are lawyers Oliver Lozano and Ely Pamatong.

Meanwhile, there are eight vice presidential candidates left—Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, senators Loren Legarda and Mar Roxas, actor and TV host Edu Manzano, broadcaster Jay Sonza, Ang Kapatiran bet Dominador Chipeco, and former Securities and Exchange Commssion Chair Perfecto Yasay Jr.

Comelec did not approve the COCs of twelve other applicants for vice president.

For the senate race, a total of 58 COCs were approved from the original 158.

Lastly, Comelec is yet to evaluate COCs for congressmen and other local positions.

Excluded candidates, on the other hand, are allowed to contest the Comelec decision in the Supreme Court.

FULL LIST. Here are the names of senatorial candidates approved by Comelec.

1. Nereus Acosta Jr. – LP
2. Sharuff Ibrahim Albani – KBL
3. Zafrullah Alonto – Bangon Pilipinas
4. Ana Theresia Baraquel – LP
5. JV Larion Bautista – PMP
6. Martin Bautista – LP
7. Silvestre Bello III – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
8. Rozzano Rufino Biazon – LP
9. Bong Revilla – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
10. Henry Caunan – PDP-Laban
11. Pia Cayetano – NP
12. Rizalito David – Ang Kapatiran
13. Joey De Venecia – PMP
14. Miriam Defensor Santiago – People’s Reform Party
15. Franklin Drilon – LP
16. Juan Ponce Enrile – PMP
17. Jinggoy Estrada – PMP
18. Ramon Guico – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
19. Teofisto Guingona III – LP
20. Jo Aurea Imbong – Ang Kapatiran
21. Kata Inocencio – Bangon Pilipinas
22. Alexander Lacson – LP
23. Raul Lambino – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
24. Rey Langit – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
25. Yasmin Lao – LP
26. Lito Lapid – Lakas-Kampi-CMD
27. Alma Lood – KBL
28. Apolinario Lozada – PMP
29. Regalado Maambong – KBL
30. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr – NP
31. Liza Maza – Independent
32. Ma Judea Millora – KBL
33. Ramon Mitra – NP
34. Ramoncito Ocampo – Bangon Pilipinas
35. Satur Ocampo – Bayan Muna Party
36. Susan Ople – NP
37. Sergio Osmeña III – Independent
38. Jovito Palparan Jr. – Independent
39. Imelda Papin – KBL
40. Zosimo Paredes – Ang Kapatiran
41. Gwendolyn Pimentel – PDP Laban
42. Rodolfo Plaza – NPC
43. Reynaldo Princesa – Bangon Pilipinas
44. Ariel Querubin – NP
45. Ralph Recto – LP
46. Gilbert Remulla – NP
47. Ma. Gracia Riñoza-Plazo – Ang Kapatiran
48. Sonia Roco – LP
49. Adrian Sison – Ang Kapatiran
50. Vicente Sotto III – NPC
51. Adel Tamano – NP
52. Reginald Tamayo – Ang Kapatiran
53. Hector Tarrazona – Ang Kapatiran
54. Francisco Tatad – Grand Alliance For Democracy/Gabaybayan
55. Alexander Tinsay – Bangon Pilipinas
56. Manuel Valdehuesa Jr. – Ang Kapatiran
57. Hector Villanueva – KBL
58. Israel Virgines – Bangon Pilipinas

-pep