THE senatorial candidates of the administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” will hold a grand rally in Malolos City, Bulacan today to solidify support in the vote-rich province, which has more than two million voters.
“Bulacan is a powerhouse, a gateway to progress. This province has always stood for strong leadership, and Alyansa is committed to ensuring that Bulakenyos reap the full benefits of national development,” said campaign manager Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.
It will be the second time for the administration candidates to hold a rally in Bulacan since it held a rally in San Jose Del Monte last February with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marcos is again expected to grace the event at the Bulacan State University.
The Alyansa and Marcos will be joined by local officials led by Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, who was among the supporters of the president when he ran in tandem with now Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 national elections.
That year, the province delivered a decisive victory for Marcos who received 1,024,069 votes.
The 11 administration senatorial candidates are reelectionist Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Francis Tolentino and Lito Lapid; former senators Panfilo Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, and Manny Pacquiao; former interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; Rep. Erwin Tulfo (ACT-CIS); Makati City Mayor Abby Binay and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar.
Villar, who has been drawing flak after receiving the endorsement of Duterte despite having joined the administration coalition, has not been officially dropped from the slate.
Duterte has been in conflict with the president and his administration ever since she broke away from her alliance with Marcos in June last year. The rift has even worsened because of the recent arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Tha Alyansa said Malolos City, the historic capital of Bulacan, “stands as a testament to the Filipino spirit,” since it was the birthplace of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.
“Today, the city symbolizes progress and resilience, qualities that Alyansa aims to amplify through its comprehensive development plans,” the administration slate said.
Tiangco said the Malolos rally “will serve as an opportunity for Alyansa to reaffirm its vision of sustainable growth and inclusive development, keeping Bulacan at the forefront of the country’s economic progress.”
“Bulacan is a pillar of progress. We are here to build on that foundation, ensuring that every Bulakenyo benefits from the nation’s continued development,” he said.
Just the other day, all the Alyansa bets, except for Villar, won the endorsement of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia during a grand rally in her province which was also attended by Marcos.
Garcia was recently ordered suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman for issuing a special quarry permit to a construction company even without having secured an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and other requirements.
Pacquiao defended Garcia’s order to carry out desilting or the clearing and removal of blockages in the Mananga River, saying “prompt action should not be considered a wrongdoing — especially if it is for the livelihood of our fellow citizens. If it’s for the people, it should be supported.”
He said “swift and humane action should not be punished — especially if it is aimed at preventing a more severe crisis, such as the worsening water shortage caused by El Niño in Cebu.”
“In government, we also need compassion. Serve the people without fear,” Pacquiao said,
Last Monday, the boxing icon also won the support of the biggest political bloc in Tawi-Tawi led by Gov. Yshmael “Mang” Sali and 11 mayors of the Bangsamoro Province.
The endorsement was made during a public consultation in Bongao town where Pacquiao vowed to help bring progress to the province and improve its tourism through reforms in the maritime sector.
“Tawi-Tawi could be the Philippines’ gateway to the East ASEAN Growth Area. Through a good leadership and correct laws, we can create livelihood while strengthening the security of our territory and seas,” he said.
