Social media personality and business owner Deo Balbuena, also known as Diwata, filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) today as a 4th nominee under the Vendors Partylist for the 2025 midterm elections.
“Kilala po ako bilang isang Diwata Pares. Nandito po kami para mag file po ng COC para po sa Vendors Partylist at isa po ako sa mga nominado," Balbuena stated during a press briefing after filing his COC on Wednesday.
WATCH: Deo Balbuena, aka Diwata Pares, naghain ng COC sa ilalim ng Vendors Partylist para sa 2025 elections | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News#Desisyon2025 pic.twitter.com/wVJgVVh6t3
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 2, 2024
According to Balbuena, the Vendors Partylist is a collective of Filipino vendors that seeks to represent and give a voice to vendors not only from Manila but from all over the Philippines.
He added that the group's advocacy is to uplift every vendor in the country. This includes plans to establish a cooperative that will make it easier for them to seek assistance.
"‘Yung mga walang pwesto pwede nating tulungan para magkaroon ng mga pwesto abot lang din sa kanilang makakaya," said Balbuena.
When asked why he joined the partylist, Balbuena stated that it aligns with his principles.
"Noong nakilala ko si Vendors Partylist, talagang hindi ako nag atubili na sumama sa kanila para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bawat maninindang Pilipino na ang intensyon lang naman namin ay mabuhay ng patas, ng ito lang ‘yung kaya naming gawin," he mentioned.
Diwata is just one of several online personalities who filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the upcoming election, each aiming for different positions.
