Marcos bares admin's Senate slate for Eleksyon 2025

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday disclosed the senatorial slate of the administration for the 2025 midterm elections. 

The slate included the following:

• Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos (PFP)
• Makati City Mayor Abby Binay (NPC)
• Senator Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party)
• Senator Lito Lapid (NPC)
• Senator Francis Tolentino (PFP)
• Senator Imee Marcos (Nacionalista Party)
• Senator Ramon ''Bong'' Revilla Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
• former Senator Manny Pacquiao (PFP)
• former Senator Panfilo Lacson (NPC)
• former Senator Vicente Sotto III, (NPC)
• Deputy Speaker Camille Villar (Nacionalista Party)
• former Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin Tulfo (Lakas-CMD)

Marcos made the announcement during Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas Convention at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Except for Sen. Imee Marcos, all the personalities included in the slate were present at the event.

In his speech, Marcos called on those who will run under the administration slate to maintain their honesty and love for the country. 

''Sa aking pag-endorso, ang tanging hiling ko ay mapanatili ang kanilang katapatan at pagmamahal sa bansa. Ito ang pinakamahalagang katangian ng kandidato na aking tinitignan at pinag-iisipan,'' Marcos said.

(With my endorsement, my only wish is for them to maintain their honesty and love for country. These are the traits I look for in a candidate.)

''Kaya naman, mga kababayan, ang mga sumusunod na indibidwal ay kilala natin sa kanilang kasanayan at sa kanilang serbisyo publiko,'' he added. 

(That is why, my countrymen, we all know the following individuals for their capabality and public service.)

Abalos' replacement

Speaking to Palace reporters, Abalos said he has already heard of possible replacements for him at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as he will be resigning from the post for his  Senate run.

Without naming personalities, Abalos said the decision will be made by the President.

"Yes, I have to resign... siguro the day after filing, magre-resign na po ako (Yes, I have to resign... perhaps I will resign on the day after filing)," Abalos said.

"I've heard of several names na papalit po sa akin, siguro hindi ko lang puwedeng sabihin... naririnig ko lang naman pero nasa Pangulo na po ito," he added.

(I've heard of several names regarding who will replace me. I just can't reveal them... I just heard them but these are all with the President.)

'Only one day'

Sotto, who ran for vice president in the 2022 national polls, said he decided to join the administration slate because of their unified approach for a better government.

Asked if the competition in the last polls was over, Sotto responded, "Yes, yes, alam mo naman ang eleksyon eh, it's only one day... (Yes, yes, we know all about elections, it's just one day)."

Sotto, a former Senate president, also believed that the administration slate was "very strong."

For his part, Lacson told GMA News Online that he decided to move on and look forward to what he can contribute in addressing the country's problems. 

Lacson also said he and Sotto were invited to run under the administration slate as early as June of this year. 

''We both said yes in appreciation of PBBM's magnanimity and humility to extend such invitation,'' he said in a text message.

Lacson said he and Sotto would file their certificate of candidacy on October 2. 

Parents' legacy

Meanwhile, Villar vowed to continue the advocacies of her parents, former Senator Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar, in serving the public.

"Siyempre ipagpapatuloy naman natin 'yung advocacies ng aking mga magulang... pagtulong sa mahihirap at lahat ng programa para sa kabuhayan. Diyan tayo magfo-focus," Villar said.

(Of course, we will continue the advocacies of my parents... like help for the poor and all types of livelihood assistance. We will focus on these.)

Binay, for her part, said it would not be an issue for her to share the stage with Cayetano. She said she is willing to work with anyone despite differences.

"I agree to join the alliance because of the President, sino naman ako para magsabi kung sino 'yung gusto kong makasama at di makasama... I am here to support the projects and programs of the President, kung sino po 'yung kasama ko hindi po ako ang pumili sa kanila," Binay said.

(I agreed to join the alliance because of the President. Who am I to say who will make the slate or not?... I am here to support the projects and programs of the President. Whoever can join us is not chosen by me.)

The territorial dispute and political rivalry between the Binays and Cayetanos or the local governments of Makati and Taguig has been known to the public.

Manifesto

In the same event, Marcos witnessed the signing of a manifesto for the Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas. 

Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, who will serve as the campaign manager for the alliance, said the slate members were chosen because of their support to the Marcos administration’s projects and legislative agenda. 

"Siyempre, kung sino ang susuporta sa programa ng ating Pangulo, siyempre 'yun ang pipiliin natin, 'yung mga su-support sa legislative agenda natin," Tiangco told reporters covering the event. 

(Of course, we will pick those who support the programs and legislative agenda of the President.)

Tiangco was also asked about candidates who have ''differences,'' particularly Binay and Cayetano.

''Tulad ng sinabi ko kanina is nagkakaisa ang mga kandidato doon sa legislative agenda ng pagpapabuti ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino, 'yun lang naman ang common di ba... personal differences naman I think we will rise above that,'' Tiangco said.

(As I said earlier, all candidates agree on the legislative agenda to improve the life of every Filipino. That's the common objective. On personal differences, I think we will rise above that.)

Tiangco also said Imee Marcos' relations with the Dutertes should not be a problem in the upcoming elections.

''Hindi naman dapat maging problema 'yun, uulitin ko ang tanging pinag-usapan lang at qualification is 'yun nagkakaisa ba tayo sa ating layunin na mapataas ang antas ng buhay ng mga Pilipino,'' he said.

(It shouldn't be a problem. Again, the only qualification is that we must all be united in our goal of improving Filipinos' quality of life.)

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, for his part, said he is very confident with the unity of five political parties, including the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), National Unity Party, Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition. These parties had signed an alliance with Marcos' PFP for next year’s poll. 

Asked about the winnability of the slate, Romualdez said the alliance would do its best to achieve victory. —KBK/VDV/VBL/AOL, GMA Integrated News