Personal Information

Birthdate: November 15, 1968

Age on election day: 56 years old

Birthplace: Davao City, Davao del Sur

Residence: Barangay Santa Cruz, Makati City, Metro Manila

Civil status: married

Spouse: Ruth G. Cervantes, lawyer and human rights advocate

Profession/occupation (as stated in COC): writer/activist

Other info:

• has two sons – Elian and Emilio
• photography hobbyist
• avid motorcycle rider

Education

• Elementary (Grade 1-2), Kalibo Pilot Elementary School, Kalibo, Aklan (1976-1978)
• Elementary (Grade 3-7), De La Salle University, Manila (1978-1982)
• High School, La Salle Green Hills, Mandaluyong (1982-1986)
• BS Sociology, University of the Philippines - Los Baños (1986-1993)

Career

• Editor in chief, UPLB Perspective (1989-1991)
• Columnist, BusinessWorld (1995-2004); also wrote for People’s Bagong Taliba and Bulatlat.com
• Reporter (Hoy Gising, The Correspondents), ABS-CBN (2001)
• Commissioner, EDSA People Power Commission (2001-2003)
• Representative, BAYAN MUNA Party List, House of Representatives (2004-2007, 2007-2010, 2010-2013)
• Affiliations
  • Volunteer, National Movement for Free Elections (1986 snap elections)
  • National president, College Editors Guild of the Philippines (1992-1994)
  • Public information director, Kilusang Mayo Uno (1994-1998)
  • Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
    • Secretary general (1999-2004)
    • National council member (2014-2023)
    • Chairperson (2023-present)
  • Convenor, People Opposed to Unwarranted Electricity Rates (2001-2018)

Candidacy in the 2025 Philippine elections

Position sought: Senator
Party: Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan
Period of residence in the Philippines up to the day before May 12, 2025: 56 years 05 months
Registered voter of: Barangay Santa Cruz, Makati City, Metro Manila

Campaign platform (verbatim)

2025 Platform & Advocacies

TEDDY’S 9-year stint in Congress made him realize that laws that really matter to our people - like those on wages, job security, lower prices, agrarian reform and rural development, free health services, good governance, progressive policies on mining, public utilities, job creation - will be difficult to pass unless we have a more democratic representation in Congress.

This means breaking the stranglehold of the political dynasties, oligarchs and foreign interests on Philippine politics.

Thus, when elected to the Senate, Teddy is committed to pushing for legislation that will ensure a more democratic government even as he works for laws that will give immediate relief to poor and middle class Filipinos and provide long term solutions to poverty and underdevelopment.

Democratic Governance and Political Reform:

• Anti-dynasty Act
• Whistleblowers Protection and Rewards Act
• Freedom of Information Act
• Party List Law Amendments
• Remove confidential and intelligence funds and pork barrel allocations in the national budget and ensure greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Living Wages and Labor Rights:

• National Minimum Wage Act
• End the contractualization of labor

Development of Local Industries:

• Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy Act
• National Industrialization Act
• People’s Mining Act
• One Million Solar Roofs Act

Lower Prices of Goods and Services:

• Free Health Services Act
• Remove or reduce VAT on oil and petroleum products, water, electricity, and other public utilities
• Amend EPIRA to allow government to build power plants and regulate power generation
• Stop the privatization and provide adequate support for water districts, electric cooperatives and other public utilities
• Buy back Petron and take back the Malampaya Gas Project

Social Justice and Human Rights:

• Genuine Agrarian Reform Act
• Wealth Tax on the super rich
• Human Rights Defenders Act
• Repeal the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020
• Expand powers of the Commission on Human Rights

Election history

ELECTION YEAR	POSITION SOUGHT	PARTY	OUTCOME
2004	party list representative (nominee)	Bayan Muna Party List	secured a seat: party list group won 3 seats
2007	party list representative (nominee)	Bayan Muna Party List	secured a seat: party list group won 3 seats
2010	party list representative (1st nominee)	Bayan Muna Party List	secured a seat: party list group won 2 seats
2013	senator	Makabayan (coalition)	lost: ranked 22nd out of 33 candidates with 4,295,151 votes
2016	party list representative (2nd nominee)	Bayan Muna Party List	did not secure a seat: party list group won only one seat
2022	party list representative (1st nominee)	Bayan Muna Party List	did not secure a seat: party list group lost

Ikaw Na Ba? The Senatorial Interviews



Tanong ng Bayan: The GMA Senatorial Face-off 2025



Sources:
Personal Information
Sources: candidate’s  CV, 2025 COC

Education
Source: candidate’s  CV

Career
Source: candidate’s  CV/write up

Candidacy in Eleksyon 2025
Sources: 2025 COC, candidate’s platform

Election history
Source: Comelec