LIST: Who are the potential Senate bets under the Marcos admin's 2025 slate? | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

LIST: Who are the potential Senate bets under the Marcos admin's 2025 slate?

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Aug 20, 2024 11:34 PM PHT

Clipboard

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with Nacionalista party Chairman Manny Villar, stands witness to another alliance signing ceremony as the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) officially joins hands with the Nacionalista Party (NP) in Taguig City on August 8, 2024. PPA PoolPresident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with Nacionalista party Chairman Manny Villar, stands witness to another alliance signing ceremony as the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) officially joins hands with the Nacionalista Party (NP) in Taguig City on August 8, 2024. PPA Pool

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Leaders of political parties allied with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met on Monday at the Aguado Residence in Malacanang to strategize for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

The meeting brought together key personalities in the President’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Nacionalista Party (NP), and the National Unity Party (NUP).

NUP president and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte said among those being considered to be part of the administration’s Senate slate for the 2025 polls are the following:

  • • Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (NPC)
  • • House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar (Nacionalista)
  • • Sen. Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista)
  • • Sen. Imee Marcos (Nacionalista)
  • • Sen. Bong Revilla (Lakas)
  • • Sen. Francis Tolentino (Independent, ex-PDP)
  • • DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos (PFP)

Aside from them, Senator Imee Marcos also said Manny Pacquiao, Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Abby Binay and Lito Lapid will join the administration’s senatorial slate.

ADVERTISEMENT

The NUP president enumerated the factors in choosing the alliance’s senatorial bets.

“Membership and loyalty to the party… If they are really in accordance with the vision of the Bagong Pilipinas.. Then winnability, of course… Importante po ‘yan. May internal surveys naman na being conducted by various members of the alliance,” Villafuerte said.

(Winnability is important. Various members of the alliance are conducting internal surveys)

He said, however, that candidates who do not do well in surveys can still win, and can be considered by the alliance.

“Kaya nga po importante ‘yung alliance. Dahil kung itutulak ng alliance na manalo sa senator ‘yan, napakalaking bagay po, di ba? Dahil, majority of elected officials are part of the alliance. Kung itulak talaga, mataas rin ang chances ng winning the election even if they're not currently ranking in the survey,” he noted.

ADVERTISEMENT

(That is why the alliance is important. Because if the alliance will push for that senator, that is a big thing, right? Majority of incumbents are part of the alliance. If the alliance pushes for these candidates, there is a big chance they would win even if they are not ranking in the surveys)

The alliance is also open to considering guest candidates, according to Villafuerte.

“But of course that will have to go through sa lahat ng members. But open naman po, non-party alliance members po,” he told the media in a phone interview.

(But of course that will have to go through all the members, but we are open to non-party alliance members)

The political alliance expects to announce the common senatorial lineup within the third week of September.

ADVERTISEMENT

NO OFFICIAL LINE UP YET

The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, however, clarified that the administration has no senatorial line up yet.

“Mayroon pong mga report na lumabas tungkol sa senatorial line up ng Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Nais ko pong linawin sa taong bayan na wala pa pong line up ang administration para sa mga kandidatong Senador,” PFP National President Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said in a statement.

Tamayo also said Marcos merely asked the different political parties supportive of the administration to come up with their candidates until September 15.

“Kami ay magbibigay ng anunsiyo ng senatorial line up ng administration pagkatapos itong mapagpasyahan ng lahat na kasapi ng Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS?

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro criticized the alliance formed by the Marcos administration, which she tagged as “a big tent for traditional politicians”.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This is nothing but a big tent for traditional politicians. Walang bago, walang maaasahan ang mamamayan d’yan," Castro, a former teacher, said.

(There is nothing news, the people cannot count on anything from this)

Castro likened the new alliance to the UniTeam alliance for the 2022 elections, which she said was for personal and political interests. She called the coalition a “mere consolidation of power among the political elite”.

The ACT Teachers Party List representative called on the public to remain vigilant and critical of political maneuvers that prioritize political interests over the welfare of the people.

She, meanwhile, urged the administration to focus on genuine reforms and policies that will uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We need leaders who will genuinely serve the people and prioritize their needs, not those who will only serve their political interests. The people deserve better," Castro said.

RELATED VIDEO



ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.