THE campaign of the “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the administration’s senatorial slate, has been getting a lot of traction after only six campaign sorties across the country, the team’s campaign manager, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said yesterday.
“Alyansa has received an overwhelmingly positive response from Filipinos, which reflects strong support for President Bongbong Marcos and his Bagong Pilipinas agenda,” Tiangco said.
He made the assessment after the coalition slate completed six campaign sorties with President Marcos Jr. in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Iloilo City; Carmen, Davao del Norte; Pasay City, Metro Manila; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
The Alyansa ticket is composed of reelectionist Senators Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano and Francis Tolentino; former senators Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao; Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS), and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, and former Interior Secretary and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos.
Tiangco said the Alyansa slate has been warmly received in campaign stops, drawing huge crowds who listen to the platforms and campaign speeches of each candidate.
“Everywhere we go, we see the enthusiasm of the people. They want leaders who will push for continuity, stability, and real reforms that will uplift their lives,” Tiangco said.
“From the north in Laoag to the Visayas and Mindanao, the message is clear — our people trust this administration’s vision, and they want a Senate that will work with the President, not against him,” he also said.
Tiangco said the turnout in several areas even exceeded expectations, which he said only proves that there is strong grassroots support for the President’s preferred senatorial candidates.
Tiangco said that with more campaign sorties set for the coming weeks, the administration slate “remains focused on strengthening grassroots connections and building on its positive momentum.”
“We are bringing our message straight to the people, and they are responding with overwhelming support. As we continue to visit more provinces, we are confident that voters will stand with us in electing a Senate that will uphold the administration’s vision for national development,” he said.
LEAGUE OF LAGUNA MAYORS
Also yesterday, the League of Mayors in Laguna announced that it is backing Pacquiao’s comeback bid in the Senate, primarily because of his plans to cascade a nationwide housing program to local government units (LGUs) and his strong advocacy for small business development for every Filipino.
In a recent gathering, the mayors cited Pacquiao’s commitment to addressing the housing backlog in the country, emphasizing that his grassroots approach — empowering LGUs to implement housing initiatives — aligns with the needs of their communities.
They also lauded his vision of providing financial and structural support to small businesses, which they believe will greatly benefit local entrepreneurs and low-income families.
“Manny Pacquiao is not just a champion in the boxing ring; he is also a champion of the masses. His vision to provide accessible housing and support small businesses is exactly what our constituents need. Laguna mayors league fully support his Senate bid,” said Laguna Mayor’s League President Ed Ramos.
‘POGO BETS’
At the House, Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. urged voters to reject candidates who are associated with Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs), which was already prohibited by the President because of criminal activities such as human trafficking and money-laundering.
Dioniso said there are aspirants for public office who are enjoying support from POGOs in exchange for protection.
“The same individuals involved in illegal gambling in POGOs, they’re trying to get in government. If you would see, a lot are running. They want to get into the government to protect their illegal activities,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. “That’s why I really salute and commend President Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. for banning POGOs, prohibiting that kind of gambling but we should really help the President, by being intelligent voters. We should not let them inside the government.”
Dionisio said the President’s decision to ban POGOs, which is run mostly by Chinese individuals, could be one of the reasons for the delisting of the country in the money laundering watchlist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
In campaigning for members of the Alyansa slate in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte last February 11, the President appealed to voters not to support candidates linked to the previous administration, saying the people should support candidates who are pro-Filipino and not pro-China.
In August last year, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who is seeking reelection under the senatorial slate which is backed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, denied the claim of Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido that POGO money was coursed through him to fund the previous administration’s quota and reward system for policemen who killed drug suspects.
La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V assailed what he called the “bottom-feeders” in the senatorial race who are spreading fake news to attack the Marcos administration and gain media mileage.
“Plataporma kaya ilatag nila at hindi paninira? Tignan natin baka umangat ng konti sa survey mas maganda (Why not present platforms instead of smear campaigning? Let’s see, maybe their survey rating will improve),” he said, noting that only one of two senatorial bets from the other slate can be considered actual contenders.
“Yung iba, yung mga pambibira sa Presidente, sa House of Representatives, sila yung mga number 50, number 40. Kumbaga sinasakyan nila ‘yung kasikatan ng Presidente saka ng nagagawa niya (Those who keep on hitting the President, the House of Representatives, they’re the ones positioned in No. 50, No. 40. They’re just riding on the President’s popularity and his achievements),” Ortega added.
