Ariel Querubin, the Philippines’ most decorated soldier and a Medal of Valor recipient, filed his certificate of candidacy for the 2025 Senate race on October 7, 2024. Querubin, who was accompanied by his family and several retired military officials, declared his senatorial bid under the Nacionalista Party. However, he emphasized that he would not align himself with traditional political slates, stating, “My loyalty is to the people, not to any political slates. Joining a slate would mean choosing sides, and that is not what I stand for.” He remains open to forming a coalition of independents who will prioritize good governance and the needs of the Filipino people.
Querubin’s candidacy is deeply rooted in his desire to address hunger, improve education, and defend the nation’s security, especially with the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. “As a retired Marine, I cannot sit and watch while our country continues to be oppressed in the West Philippine Sea. We will fight for our rights, for our security, and for our future,” he vowed.
Querubin’s life story is one of perseverance and sacrifice, shaped by over 30 years of military service. He has survived numerous battles, sustaining 67 combat wounds, and in one harrowing incident in 1991, he was clinically dead after being hit by a rocket from a Sikorsky helicopter. He was declared lifeless and placed in a morgue until a doctor noticed the ring on his finger twitch. After 13 hours of surgery, including the removal of part of his liver and intestines, Querubin defied death once again. Reflecting on this experience, he said, “During mass evacuation, they tend to those who have better chances of survival. And so, they put me together with the other lifeless bodies.”
His resilience in the face of danger and death is evident in the many fierce battles he fought, including a 24-hour firefight where his battalion captured the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) 3rd Brigade. This operation, like many others, left a lasting impact on Querubin, who recalls the exhaustion and relief of surviving some of the most brutal confrontations of his career.
Querubin’s service was not limited to combat but extended to numerous operations that shaped the course of the country’s military history. He was instrumental in the neutralization of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Chairman Jessie Rafael, rescued Swiss national Hans Kunzli from MNLF kidnappers, and led the operation that killed Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya in 2002, for which President George W. Bush personally congratulated the Philippine government.
In 2001, Querubin received the prestigious Medal of Valor for his role in capturing MILF’s Camp Mack in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, under intense fire and overwhelming odds. Despite being under siege by rockets and machine gun fire, Querubin pressed forward, putting his life on the line to secure a crucial victory for the Philippine military. This act of valor has been frequently mentioned by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who calls Querubin “my hero.”
Beyond the battlefield, Querubin’s values of courage, integrity, and loyalty are reflected in his role as a father and husband. His family, including his stepsons—Cocolife CEO Martin Loon and Marine Captain John Michael Loon—embodies the ideals of public service and leadership. Querubin has always been vocal about leaving a legacy of a good name for his children, ensuring that his life, filled with encounters of poverty, injustice, and war, is a testimony of his commitment to the Filipino people.
After a failed senatorial bid in 2010 and years of service in the private sector, Querubin finally retired from the military in 2021, where the Philippine Marines honored him with a ceremony at Fort Bonifacio. Reflecting on his retirement, Querubin said, “For all of us in the service who vowed to make the ultimate sacrifice for the country and the Filipino people, you would know how meaningful these two moments are: the beginning and end of our military career.”
As Querubin embarks on this new chapter of public service, his life’s story of resilience, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the Philippines remains central to his vision for the country. His book, A Question of Valor, is expected to launch soon, providing deeper insights into his remarkable journey from a decorated military officer to a political figure determined to bring meaningful change to the Senate.
