By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the administration’s 12 prospective senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections.
The 2025 senatorial slate was divulged during the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Convention 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The lineup was composed of candidates from various political parties, including the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and Nacionalista Party (NP).
These include Marcos’ sister, reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos from NP, along with her party mates Sen. Pia Cayetano, and House deputy speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.
Marcos also announced his support for former senator Manny Pacquiao, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr., and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, who are members of the PFP.
He also endorsed Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo of Lakas-CMD.
Also joining the senatorial ticket of the Marcos administration are NPC candidates Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, former senator Panfilo Lacson, and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.
Marcos vouched for the competence of his preferred senatorial candidates, saying they would help him in achieving his goals for the country.
He expressed hope that the Filipino electorate would vote for them, as he guaranteed that the administration’s lineup would stand up for Filipinos’ interest, welfare, and rights.
Marcos stressed that with the alliance for a Bagong Pilipinas, there would no longer be political rifts and division, especially during the election period.
“Ito ay isang kilusang-bayan na magbubuklod sa pinakamalawak na puwersa ng mga nagmamahal sa Inang Bayan, na ikakampanya ang isang programang pangkaunlaran na walang naiiwanan, na pagsasamahin ang 12 magigiting na Pilipino na may taglay na sipag at galing para maging pinuno,” he said.
“Sa kanilang kalidad at karanasan mataas ang aking kumpiyansa na sila ay ating magiging katuwang sa ating pagsulong at sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Atin pong sila ay samahan at suportahan,” Marcos added.
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, who will serve as the slate’s campaign manager, said the primary consideration in picking the candidates is their support for the administration’s legislative agenda aimed at improving Filipinos’ lives.
“So, ang mahalaga dito ay talagang susuporta at naniniwala sila na ang plataporma ng Bagong Pilipinas, iyan ang magpapaunlad sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he told reporters.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a chance interview, said he is “very confident” about the winnability of the senatorial bets of the current administration.
Meanwhile, Abalos said he would resign as DILG secretary on the day when he files his certificate of candidacy.
Several personalities are being considered as his replacement but refused to reveal their identities, he added.
“Nasa Pangulo na po ito,” he said in an interview after the event. “Probably, I only have one week or one and a half week or two weeks at the most. But after this, ira-wrap up ko na lang ’yong mga trabaho sa DILG.”
Binay said she joined the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas to support the projects of the Marcos administration, as well as to empower local government.
Villar said the new alliance would allow all senatorial aspirants to stand united in helping Filipinos and addressing all the problems besetting the country.
The election period starts with the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1 to 8.
In a chance interview with Palace reporters, Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said Marcos is expected to hold an assembly with his preferred senatorial candidates at least once a week.