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 Senator Imee Marcos from NP, along with her party mates Senator Pia Cayetano and Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.
Marcos also announced his support for the former senator Manny Pacquiao, Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino who are members of the PFP.
He also endorsed Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo of Lakas-CMD.
Also joining the senatorial ticket of the Marcos administration were Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and former Senator Panfilo Lacson and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay of NPC.
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 New Philippines, 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 (It is a people's movement that will unite the broadest force of those who love the Motherland, that will campaign a development program that leaves no one behind, that will unite 12 brave Filipinos with diligence and competence to be a leader),” he said.
“Sa kanilang kalidad at karanasan mataas ang aking kumpyansa na sila ay ating magiging katuwang sa ating pagsulong at sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Atin po sila ay samahan at suportahan (With their quality and experience, I have high confidence that they will be our partners in our advancement and the continued development of our country. Let us accompany and support them),” Marcos added.
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, who will serve as the Senate slate’s campaign manager, said the primary consideration in picking the administration’s bets is their support for its 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 (what is important here is that they really support and believe that the platform of the New Philippines, that it will improve the lives of every Filipino),” 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 (It’s still up to the President),” 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, iwra-wrap up ko na lang ‘yung mga trabaho sa DILG (I will just wrap up my work at the 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. (PNA)
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