SPEAKER Martin Romualdez yesterday ordered the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats to mobilize its full political machinery to ensure the victory of the administration’s 11-man “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial slate.
The Speaker, president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), issued the marching order to Lakas governors, lawmakers, mayors and other local leaders in a breakfast meeting held at the Aguado Residence in Malacañang where he urged them to mobilize “every ground force, every local leader and every local community network” to help the administration’s bets who will push for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legislative agenda.
“Please. Straight Alyansa. Diinan natin lahat sila, walang iwanan dito (Let’s make a push for them, no one will be left behind here). Ito ang gusto ng ating mahal na pangulo (This is what our beloved president wants). They are our true partners. Subok na subok sila (They’re tried and tested). I know each and everyone of them have proven themselves. Hindi tayo mapapahiya sa taongbayan (We’ll not be humiliated in front of the people). These are the right candidates. This is the future of the Philippine Senate and the Republic of the Philippines,” Romualdez said.
The Alyansa ticket is composed of the five major political parties allied with the administration: Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity Party (NUP), and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
The administration’s senatorial candidates are reelectionist Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino; former senators Panfilo Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Manny Pacquiao, Reps. Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar, Makati City mayor Abby Binay and former interior secretary Benhur Abalos.
Romualdez said the victory of the Alyansa candidates is also “the victory of the people.” “Our citizens are tired of the noise, drama, and political grandstanding. What they demand is unity, delivery, and continuity—and that’s exactly what this slate offers,” he said.
Lakas Executive Director Anna Capella Velasco said Lakas has a total of 6,114 candidates in the May midterm elections, which includes two senatorial candidates, (Revilla and Tulfo); 21 candidates for governor, 29 vice governor candidates, 125 congressional candidates, 38 city mayors, 39 city vice mayors, 431 city councilors, 572 municipal mayors, 518 municipal vice mayors; 4,089 municipal councilors, and 250 provincial board members.
The administration ticket is set to campaign today in Pampanga, where they will meet in San Fernando City with former president Rep. Gloria Arroyo of the province’s second district.
Arroyo, who is also a known ally of the Duterte family, will host a grand rally at the Laus Events Center which is expected to be attended by local leaders.
With 1.67 million registered voters, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa’s campaign manager, said Pampanga “stands as a political stronghold and a key battleground in the May midterm elections.” He noted that in the 2022 presidential elections, Marcos received more than 735,000 votes in the province.
“Pampanga is a game-changer. People want leaders who will work, not grandstand and that’s exactly what Alyansa stands for,” said Tiangco, who, himself, is seeking reelection. “We’re not just here to campaign. We’re here to work with Kapampangans to build lasting progress. This is about jobs, infrastructure, social services, and a better future.”
The Alyansa slate will also be welcomed in Angeles City by officials led by Rep. Carmelo Lazatin II of the first district, and Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. at the Lapid Arena.
At the Kingsborough International Convention Center, which is also in San Fernando, the slate will join Rep. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum of the fourth district and some mayors from central Pampanga.
Later in the day, a province-wide show of unity will be held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, where all provincial officials are expected to attend to express their support for the Alyansa bets.
