Abdiel Franz Bernales

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who led the launch of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial campaign expressed that he aims for his senatorial bet preferences to sweep the 12 electoral spots in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. 

Photo Courtesy of RTVM/Philippine Star.

Marcos on February 11 emphasized that the senatorial slate and local candidates of his choice are the ‘strongest contenders.’

“Palagay ko naman ay napili natin ang pinakamahusay, pinakamagagaling, at pinakamatibay hindi lamang sa eleksyon kung hindi sa serbisyo publiko. Ganoon kataas ang quality ng miyembro at ng kandidato ng PFP, dapat… Basta kami sa leadership ng PFP sinasabi natin, hindi — walang dapat matalo dito sa ating mga kandidato dahil ‘yan ang pinakamagagaling,” he added. 

Further, Marcos stressed  that the ‘best people’ and the ‘most effective’ public servants in the Philippines are under their umbrella.

"At asahan ninyo, the PFP is the strongest party in the country today," he concluded, as he also wished the candidates good luck as they are about to start their campaign next month.  

In his speech during Alyansa's proclamation rally, he  also asked if the Filipinos would like to return to the  time when the Philippines was being ‘sold to foreigners’ as a land for gambling, and killings were prominent during the peak of the war on drugs campaign by then-president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Babalik ba tayo sa nakaraan na ibinubugaw ang ating bayan bilang isang sugalan ng mga dayuhan? Nais ba nating bumalik sa landas na umaapaw sa dugo ng mga inosenteng mga bata na inagaw sa kanilang mga ina, kinuha sa kanilang mga tahanan, at inagaw ang kanilang kinabukasan?” Marcos asked.

Marcos asserts that no Filipino wants the government to revert to its old ways—which is why he believes electing senators who were not part of past schemes will be essential.

“Walang nagnanais na Pilipino na mabalik tayo sa ganyang klaseng pagpatakbo. Kaya naman, makakatiyak po kayo na kapag ang ating mga kandidato ay naluklok sa Senado at sila ay nagsimula ng trabaho, asahan po ninyo na sila po ay hindi makikihalo, hindi makikilahok sa ganyang bagay na ating iniwanan na at na ayaw na ayaw balikan,” he said.

Marcos' speech appeared to be a jab at the former president Rodrigo Duterte's administration, as he mentioned several issues thrown against his predecessor like human rights violations in the drug war, alleged mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operators.

The Chief Executive also appeared to criticize Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and senatorial bet Apollo Quiboloy—a close ally of Duterte. According to Marcos, none of the Alyansa senatorial candidates play holy, only to be charged for allegedly abusing women and minors as young as 12 years old.

These are not the only allusions Marcos made in his fiery speech: before, he said he pities other political parties seemingly begging for strong senatorial candidates.

According to Marcos, some of the candidates of other parties were just asked to deliver vinegar and get certificates of candidacy for the Senate race.

Quiboloy is part of the eight-person slate of the PDP, the party affiliated with Duterte.