FORMER Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson yesterday hailed President Marcos Jr. as a “popular endorser,” saying his backing gives the administration’s Senate slate, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, a major advantage in Negros Oriental.
“Any endorsement from a popular endorser will definitely boost or help the chances of those being endorsed. And you, yourself, stated a while ago … that the President overwhelmingly won in Negros Oriental,” Lacson said during a press conference with other Alyansa senatorial candidates in Dumaguete.
“So the other half is it’s up to us to inform the people kung ano ‘yung aming mga plataporma, ano ‘yung aming mga accomplishments and all. So the way to do it is the same way that we are campaigning in the other parts of the country.”
Lacson’s remarks reflect the confidence of Alyansa’s candidates, who are banking on a combination of the Chief Executive’s strong backing and their own governance experience to secure votes in the province, a stronghold for the President in the 2022 elections.
During the 2022 polls, President Marcos topped the presidential race in Negros Oriental with 254,806 votes.
Other members of Alyansa echoed Lacson’s sentiments, pointing out that the previous victory of President Marcos in Negros Oriental serves as a strong foundation for the coalition’s campaign.
House Deputy Majority Leader and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said the administration’s fulfillment of its promises in Negros Oriental will reinforce voter trust in Alyansa.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III highlighted the strength of the Alyansa slate and the President’s endorsement as key factors in their confidence.
Responding to a question on whether they believe the President’s victory would extend to the Alyansa slate, Sotto said: “The answer is yes, obviously, because the President is endorsing us. And if you look at the lineup—the 12 candidates of Alyansa—we are confident that the people of Negros Oriental will see the experience and the help that we’ve given the country, the efforts as public servants that we have served,” Sotto said.
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos pointed to improvements in peace and order under the Marcos administration, particularly in Negros Oriental, which he said helped revive tourism and economic activity.
“We know what happened before—there was turmoil in peace and order, and tourism declined. But look at Negros now, look at Dumaguete now. The economy is alive, and the people are vibrant,” Abalos said, recalling his role in appointing the current police leadership in the province.
“That will speak for the record of the President and the platforms of Alyansa,” he pointed out.
Former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar also noted the administration’s initiatives in job creation and economic recovery as key priorities of the coalition.
Villar said: “We are happy to be here in Dumaguete and also Negros Oriental to introduce ourselves and also to show support for the actions and programs of our dear President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.”
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay emphasized that while the President’s endorsement is a powerful boost, the public service records of administration candidates remain their strongest asset.
The Alyansa slate also includes Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Lito Lapid, and Francis “Tol” Tolentino.
