The administration's senatorial slate officially launched its campaign on Tuesday in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the hometown of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
All 12 senatorial candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas were present at the proclamation rally including Sen. Imee Marcos, the president's sister, who had earlier refused to be part of her brother’s slate.
LOOK: Present si @SenImeeMarcos sa proclamation rally ng Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas | RH 14 @leth_narciso, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/UBAILwr07y
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 11, 2025
The lineup consists of the following candidates:
- former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos
- outgoing Makati Mayor Abby Binay
- Senator Pia Cayetano
- Former senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson
- Senator Lito Lapid
- Senator Imee Marcos
- former Senator Manny Pacquiao
- Senator Bong Revilla
- former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III
- Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino
- ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo
- House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar
Before the main event, eight out of the 12 candidates from the administration's senatorial slate attended a press conference ahead of the rally.
The candidates were asked about the legislative proposals they would push for if they were fortunate enough to win a Senate seat.
According to former Senator Lacson, he will continue to push for the bill that seeks to waive public officials' right to bank secrecy.
Former Senator Sotto, on the other hand, aims to fight against fake news and advocate for the granting of a 14th-month pay to Filipino workers.
Meanwhile, former Secretary Abalos will push for amending the Local Government Code to improve policies on infrastructure development.
Senator Tolentino intends to pursue the removal of the Value Added Tax on electricity to lower power rates.
In his bid to return to the Senate, former Senator Pacquiao plans to advocate for strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as a means to generate more jobs.
Rep. Tulfo backed this initiative, saying he would advocate for economic policies that would lead to sustainable livelihoods.
For Makati Mayor Binay, it is crucial to focus on healthcare by providing free maintenance medicines for senior citizens and strengthening the purchasing power of workers by exempting the 13th-month pay and overtime pay from taxes.
Rep. Camille Villar emphasized the need to enhance support for industries that create jobs, such as construction, infrastructure, and tourism.
In his speech during the event, President Marcos emphasized that none of the candidates were involved in drug war-related killings, corruption during the pandemic, or supporting China's actions in the West Philippine Sea.
He then urged Filipinos to support and vote for the candidates he endorses, stating that they will not engage in or participate in "matters the country has left behind and no longer wants to revisit" once they are in the Senate.
