FORMER vice president Leni Robredo has endorsed the senatorial bids of former interior secretary Benhur Abalos and former senator Manny Pacquiao, two allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who are part of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” slate.
It was only the second time that the former opposition leader has endorsed senatorial candidates, the first one being her endorsement of Liberal Party allies former senators Francis Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino.
Robredo, who is running for mayor of Naga City, campaigned with Abalos last Wednesday, her 60th birthday, citing the former interior secretary’s assistance to the city over the years.
“Matagal na po natin siyang kaibigan, naging mayor siya ng Mandaluyong ng matagal na panahon, naging DILG secretary po sya. Isang napakagaling na DILG secretary at naging MMDA chairman at ngayon ay tumatakbong kandidato bilang senador (He has been our friend for a long time. He served as mayor of Mandaluyong for many years, became DILG secretary—a very good one—and also served as MMDA chairman. Now he’s running for senator),” she said in Naga City.
She recalled how Abalos repeatedly helped Naga, especially during Typhoon Kristine. “During Typhoon Kristine he came here several times to help. He did it quietly, but he always helped,” she said in Bicolano.
“Let’s support him in his candidacy. Let’s vote for him in his bid for the Senate. If he becomes senator, he will surely help us, so we should also help him,” she also said.
Robredo recently visited the Mandaluyong Cemetery of Life, a project built under the leadership of Abalos, who is a former mayor like Robredo’s late husband former interior secretary Jesse Robredi, saying she was hoping to replicate the concept in Naga.
Abalos thanked Robredo and vowed to work for the aspirations of Bicolanos if he gets elected in the Senate.
Among his priorities are pushing for the removal of the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity, amending the Rice Tariffication Law to protect farmers, amending the National Land Use Act, opposing commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters, and amending to the Local Government Code, among others.
Abalos urged voters to “scrutinize our candidates.” “The future of our country over the next six years lies in their hands. Let’s look closely at their accomplishments and platforms,” he said in Filipino,
Also in Naga City, Robredo endorsed Pacquiao, conducting a house-to-house outreach with him and accompanying the boxing icon during a rally.
Robredo called Pacquiao kind-hearted and trustworthy.
“We will always be behind Manny Pacquiao,” she said, endorsing Pacquiao, who was among her rivals in the 2022 presidential elections.
“Magkalaban na kami sa presidente tulong pa din si Senator Pacquiao sa akin (We were rivals in the presidential race but Pacquiao still helped me),” Robredo said, who said in 2022 that she would have voted for him had she not run for president .
Meanwhile, Marcos will join the Alyansa slate when they campaign in Pangasinan today. Pangasinan is the country’s fourth most vote-rich province, with over 2.15 million registered voters.
Alyansa campaign manager Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said the Pangasinan sortie “signals the coalition’s drive to solidify support in the heart of Northern Luzon.”
“Pangasinan isn’t just a vote-rich province, it’s a bellwether. Its support has helped determine who leads the country. Alyansa is here to listen, to engage, and to deliver,” Tiangco said.
“Pangasinan is a pillar of the Solid North. We are here to ensure that every Pangasinense experiences the benefits of progress through livelihood, healthcare, and a better future,” he also said.
The Alyansa said that with over 2.15 million registered voters, including the component city of Dagupan and an 87.18 percent turnout in 2022, Pangasinan “remains a cornerstone of national electoral victories.”
The administration slate noted that the province delivered a commanding 1.29 million votes for Marcos in the 2022 elections, which was more than five times that of his closest rival.
The other nine Alyansa candidates are reelectionist Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid and Francis Tolentino; former senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III; former Social Welfare Secretary and now Rep. Erwin Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS), Deputy Speaker Camille Villar of Las Piñas City and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.
