Marcos: Bagong Pilipinas a set of ideals, not a new partisan group

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Sunday that Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) is not a new partisan coalition in disguise. 

Marcos said this in his message during the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Bagong Pilipinas is not a new partisan coalition in disguise. It is a set of ideals that all us Filipinos, regardless of political creed or religion or wealth, can coalesce around,” Marcos said.

The

“Bagong Pilipinas is not a new partisan coalition in disguise. It is a set of ideals that all us Filipinos, regardless of political creed or religion or wealth, can coalesce around,” Marcos said.

The president also said that “Bagong Pilipinas” is not a political game plan that caters to a privileged few as it is a master plan for genuine development that benefits of all our people. 

“Bagong Pilipinas serves no narrow political interest. It serves the people,” said Marcos.

He also said that Bagong Pilipinas conceals no agenda. 

“To those whose overheated imagination has been poisoned by toxic politics, Bagong Pilipinas is no Trojan Horse. It is a program, many workhorses driven by the love of country,” Marcos said.

“The sweeping vision that it brings presents—will not automatically come to fruition. It will require for all of us to work very hard,” he added.

 Vice President Sara Duterte attended the event, which was spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Office. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil were also present. Duterte left the event to attend another rally in Davao City.

The Cabinet secretaries who also attended the rally included Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. 

Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was also present at the event.

Each Cabinet secretary presented developments being undertaken by their agencies under the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas campaign.

Bearing Philippine flags, thousands of individuals flocked to Quirino Grandstand to show their support for the current administration’s goal of “Bagong Pilipinas.” 

In a statement after the event, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the event was "generally peaceful," adding that some of the attendees "were given medical attention due to dizziness and other minor illness. We deployed around 3,587 personnel."

Not for Charter change 

Earlier, PCO Undersecretary Gerard Baria dismissed claims that the Bagong Pilipinas campaign kick-off rally would be used to push for Charter change or Cha-cha. 

Baria stressed that the event was the executive department’s way of showing its commitment that it will do its job and services for the general public. He noted that ''Charter change is within the territory of Congress.''

Further, PCO Director Cris Villonco said the event was meant to empower Filipinos at its core.

PCO officials, meanwhile, failed to provide the exact amount allotted for the Bagong Pilipinas rally, which is expected to be attended by thousands of individuals. 

Baria had said expenses for attendees from various government agencies will be provided by their respective department secretaries.

Government officials, celebrities and other invited personalities were expected to attend the rally. A Serbisyo Fair was also conducted alongside other entertainment activities.—RF/BM, GMA Integrated News