SPEAKER Ferdinand Romualdez on Thursday rallied at least 100 members of the House of Representatives to throw their support behind the 11 senatorial candidates of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate.
The lawmakers met Thursday at the Aguado Residence in Malacañang, where Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), urged them to go “all in” for the administration’s lineup in the midterm elections.
“We must vote straight Alyansa,” Romualdez told his colleagues during the closed-door gathering. “We have to go that extra mile for them… these are the partners that the President has chosen.”
Romualdez said the coming elections are crucial in determining the momentum of Marcos’ remaining term, and called for unified political machinery to ensure a clear victory for the President’s candidates.
“In this crucial midterm election, unity is strategy,” he added. “Let us not be distracted by the noise. We must focus on what truly matters: delivering a Senate that will help the President govern effectively.”
Among those present to express support were Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez, and Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin. They were joined by party-list representatives including Caraps Paduano (Abang Lingkod), Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol), and Joboy Aquino (Agusan del Norte).
The attendees included members of Lakas-CMD, the Nacionalista Party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the National Unity Party (NUP), and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI).
The Alyansa senatorial slate includes high-profile names such as former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino, and Lito Lapid, as well as former Senators Manny Pacquiao, Ping Lacson, and Tito Sotto. Also in the lineup are ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and Rep. Camille Villar.
Romualdez said these candidates represent both experience and a commitment to the goals of Bagong Pilipinas, the Marcos administration’s brand of governance.
Recent events suggest growing political support for the slate. Last week, 10 of the 11 candidates were formally endorsed by Lakas-CMD and received backing from 40 party-list groups under PCFI.
Romualdez ended his remarks with an appeal for continued ground support: “Your endorsement carries weight. The people listen to you. Now is the time to speak with clarity and conviction.”
The midterm polls are set to be a test of the administration’s strength, with results likely to impact the pace of legislative reforms in the second half of Marcos’ term.
