Pediatrician and social media personality Richard Mata has officially joined the senatorial lineup of Duterte-aligned Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for the May 2025 midterm elections.
Known online as “Doc Marites,” Mata was adopted as the party’s 10th official senatorial candidate, PDP-Laban announced. The party is chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.
Mata, who rose to prominence during the pandemic for his engaging health-related videos, is campaigning on a platform focused on healthcare reform, regulation of online gambling, stronger protection for PhilHealth funds, and safeguarding freedom of speech for netizens and content creators.
During PDP-Laban’s proclamation rally in February, nine candidates were initially presented: Senators Bong Go and Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, lawyer-singer Jimmy Bondoc, lawyer Raul Lambino, actor Philip Salvador, lawyer Jayvee Hinlo, Sagip party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta, detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, and former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez.
With Mata’s inclusion, PDP-Laban now has ten official candidates for the Senate, collectively dubbed the “DuterTEN,” according to party president and incumbent Senator Robin Padilla.