MANILA - A presidential aspirant nicknamed "Manok" was among the early birds at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila during the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Friday.

The first candidate to file his COC for president was 63-year-old Gregorio "Manok" Samia from San Fernando City, Pampanga province. He said he is called "Manok" because he can mimic a cock's crow.

Samia said he wants to try his luck for the presidency in 2010 after being cheated in the last barangay elections in their hometown.

His advocacy: "Ang masakit sa iyo, 'wag mong gawin sa kapwa mo. Madaling maging tao, mahirap magpakato. God is love. Kaya nating lokohin lahat ng tao, kalikasan 'di natin kayang lokohin."

Samia arrived at the Comelec office to file his COC at around 8 a.m..

The other aspirants who filed their COCs for president were David Torralba Alimorong, Manny Lopez, Daniel Magtira, Rigoberto Madera a.k.a. NNN, and Josefina Morillo.

The Comelec said it will accept applications from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Friday until midnight of December 1.

Joseph Estrada's campaign manager Ernesto Maceda said the former president will file his COC on November 27 before 4 p.m., based on a feng shui recommendation.

There were still no confirmations as to when the rest of the major presidential bets will file their COCs at the Comelec.

The other expected presidential bets are Gilbert Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party, Francis Escudero, Nicanor Perlas, Eduardo 'Bro' Eddie Villanueva, JC de los Reyes, Hermogenes Ebdane, and Bayani Fernando – Report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News