POLITICAL endorsements are overflowing with only a week left before the May 12 midterm elections.
The Jesus is Lord (JIL) church and the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) separately endorsed four candidates of the administration’s “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The JIL, along with Sen. Joel Villanueva, endorsed the candidacies of Alyansa bets Sen. Pia Cayetano and former senators Manny Pacquiao, Vicente Sotto III, and Panfilo Lacson. It also backed the Senate comeback of former senator Francis Pangilinan.
On the other hand, Sinag endorsed the Senate bids of former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos, Lacson, Sen. Bong Revilla, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, and Sen. Imee Marcos.
The Alyansa ticket has been working double time to help give Abalos, Pacquiao and reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino better chances at making the Top 12 since they have been lagging behind in recent surveys.
In a statement, the JIL said that before announcing its endorsement, the group’s executive selection committee “adopted a set of stringent criteria rooted in Christian values, with a strong emphasis on candidates’ commitment to truth, justice and righteousness.”
Villanueva, in backing Pacquiao’s bid, said: “Manny has been an inspiration to many. His journey from hardship to heroism, and from the ring to the halls of congress, reflects the kind of moral leadership our country needs.”
The JIL’s endorsement of Pacquiao is expected to help solidify Christian support for his candidacy.
In response, Pacquiao thanked the JIL for its trust and pledged to “champion causes that reflect Christian values, social justice, and national progress.”
“I am humbled by the endorsement of JIL and Brother Eddie (Villanueva, the group’s founder). I will continue to fight for the poor, defend the truth, and serve the Filipino people with integrity,” Pacquiao said.
On the other hand, Sinag chair Rosendo So, cited the “unwavering commitment to the Philippine agriculture sector” if Abalos, Lacson, Villar, Revilla and Marcos as the reason for the group’s endorsement.
Sinag said the five candidates have consistently championed the protection of the local agriculture industry “and actively supported crucial legislation,” including RA 12022 (Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act) and RA 12078 (Rice Tariff Law), which increased farmer allocations to P30 billion annually.
It also said that the five have collaborated with it in opposing “detrimental policies,” such as repeated tariff reductions on rice, pork, and chicken, and supported the establishment of the First Border Facility, which it said is a vital measure against agricultural smuggling.
“Their platforms align with Sinag’s vision of strengthening food security, combating smuggling, and revitalizing the livestock and poultry sectors,” it said in a statement.
Sinag said its expects the senators, if elected, to prioritize measures that would reduce production and fuel costs for farmers through legislated subsidies and back measures to address the high cost of electricity which it said “is crucial to lowering overall production expenses.”
The group also urged he candidates to support its call for reverting rice tariffs to 35 percent to protect both consumers and local farmers.
“This endorsement highlights the critical role of these candidates in advocating for the interests of the agriculture sector and Filipino farmers. Sinag’s support underscores the importance of electing leaders committed to strengthening the nation’s food security and supporting local producers,” it said.
Aside from the two group’s endorsements, the candidacies of several Alyansa bets got needed boost from the movie industry.
Comedian Jose Marie Viceral, better known as Vice Ganda, endorsed the senatorial bid of Abalos, saying: “Kaysa naman ‘yung mga walang kwenta ang pumasok sa Top 12, dito na ’ko (Instead of the good-for-nothings making the Top 12, I’d rather go with this guy).”
Vice Ganda made the endorsement in a short video posted on her official Facebook page last Saturday.
The video, which shows the comedian pulling an image of Abalos to help him break into the Top 12, has garnered 12 million views within 24 hours of posting.
Vice Ganda, who studied political science at the Far Eastern University (FEU), has been consistently using her platform and influence to urge Filipinos to vote wisely and shun traditional politicians or “trapos.”
“Legislative. ’Yan yung branch ng Kongreso at Senado. Ang trabaho talaga nila ay gumawa ng batas. Kaya dapat ang iboboto natin sa Kongreso at Senado ay ‘yung gagawa ng batas, ‘yung may alam na gumawa ng batas at may planong gumawa ng batas (That’s the branch of Congress and the Senate. Their job is really legislation. That’s why we’ll vote for congressional and senatorial candidates who will make laws, those who are knowledgeable in lawmaking and has plans to legislate),” he once said.
On Saturday, former Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto endorsed the Alyansa slate during a campaign rally.
Pacquiao thanked Santos-Rector for the endorsement, which is expected to improve the slate’s chances in Southern Luzon. In return, he vowed to refile his Senate Bill No. 239 or the “Free Housing Through On-Site, In-City, or Near-City Resettlement Act,” to help informal settlers.
During the Batangas rally, Pacquiao outlined a countryside-focused legislative agenda aimed at helping marginalized communities and disaster-affected families — with a clear focus on livelihood, housing, and youth development.
“Batangas and the rest of the country deserve leaders who will fight for the ordinary Filipino, through livelihood programs, MSME support, and free housing for the poor and calamity victims, we can restore dignity and hope to our countrymen in need,” he said.
Key leaders from Northern and Eastern Samar also endorsed Pacquiao’s comeback bid, including Eastern Samar Board Member Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone, son of Gov. Ben Evardone; Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, and a coalition of mayors across the two provinces.
“Sen. Pacquiao has always championed the needs of the marginalized. His return to the Senate is crucial for empowering provinces like ours that continue to struggle with poverty and underdevelopment” RV said in a statement.
For his part, Daza said: “He (Pacquiao) has consistently pushed for programs that directly benefit the poor —from infrastructure to education and livelihood. He understands what our people need because he comes from the same background.”
