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Duterte-backed PDP Laban kicks off Eleksyon 2025 senatorial bid
The Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban), chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, has officially fielded nine senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections.
PDP Laban's proclamation rally was launched Thursday at Club Filipino in San Juan City. Duterte is expected to attend and personally announce his support to the candidates.
The Duterte-backed PDP Laban is set to proclaim its senatorial candidates for #Eleksyon2025 this afternoon. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/e7cWnk5Wxq
— Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) February 13, 2025
The political party has previously announced support to eight candidates, namely: Senators Bong Go and Bato Dela Rosa, lawyer and singer Jimmy Bondoc, lawyer Raul Lambino, actor Philip Salvador, lawyer Jayvee Hinlo, as well as guest candidates Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, who previously served as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s campaign spokesperson and chief of staff in the 2022 elections, was included in the official senatorial candidates of PDP-Laban.
“Ako ay nagtitiwalang nasa taong bayan ang kapangyarihang baguhin ang kasalukuyang takbo ng ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng pagboto sa mga taong karapat-dapat, tapat at matiyagang maglilingkod sa bayan,” the Vice President said.
(I believe that the people have the power to change the current state of our country by voting for people who are worthy, honest, and can diligently serve the nation.)
“Kasama ninyo kaming nagdarasal para sa tagumpay ng ating mga adbokasiya, alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating mga komunidad at kapwa Pilipino,” she added.
(We pray for the success of our advocacy for the sake of our community and fellow Filipinos.)
According to the party, its candidates will deliver the "Tapang at Malasakit" (courage and compassion) brand of public service, described as the governance hallmark of the Duterte administration.
They are also advocating against illegal drugs, criminality, and graft and corruption.
Sara Duterte
During the proclamation rally, the Duterte-backed Senate bets also slammed lawmakers who seek to “steal” the Vice Presidency from Sara Duterte.
In his speech, Rodriguez called the House of Representatives’ impeachment of Duterte "unconstitutional." He urged their supporters to protect the 32 million Filipinos who elected the Vice President.
“Ninanakaw na ang pera nating mga Pilipino. Nagbebenta ng 25 toneladang ginto, hindi sinasabi kung sino ang bumili at magkano ang pagbebenta nito. Pati pa naman ang posisyon ng Pangalawang Pangulo nanakawin pa rin ng Marcos administration?” The former executive secretary said.
(The Filipinos' money is being stolen. 25 tons of gold is being sold, without telling who is buying it and how much it was sold for. Now, even the Marcos administration wants to steal the position of Vice President.)
Marcoleta also flagged the "constitutional issue” regarding the impeachment of Duterte, saying that a lawyer like himself should be elected into the Senate once the trial begins.
Hinlo, meanwhile, called on their supporters to unite so that Duterte will not be impeached.
Lambino also said that if elected senator, he would not allow Duterte to be taken out of her office.
“Alam nating isasampang impeachment kay Vice President Sara… Papayagan ba nating nanakawin nila ang Vice Presidency? Hindi tayo papayag,” he said.
(We know that Vice President Sara will be impeached... Would we allow them to steal the Vice Presidency? We will not allow them to do so.)
Campaign promises
Quiboloy, who is currently detained in Pasig City Jail, said in a recorded video message that he will push for “zero corruption,” and the reimposition of death penalty for corrupt government officials if he gets elected senator.
“Linisin natin ang Pilipinas mula sa mga corrupt at magnanakaw,” he said.
(Let's clean the Philippines from the corrupt and thieves.)
The self-proclaimed Son of God is currently facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.
He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
Go, for his part, committed to continue advocating for the health and welfare of Filipinos.
Salvador said he wants to continue the legacy of Rodrigo Duterte, especially when it comes to combating the proliferation of illegal drugs. Bondoc also stressed that the senatorial slate will fight for the “best of the best of Duterte principles.”
Rodriguez also vowed to fight corruption, saying he would start doing so by monitoring the national budget annually.
He also took a jab at Marcos over the alleged anomalies in the 2025 national budget.
“Saan ka nakakita, nagpapasa ng P6.352 trillion, panay blanko ang bicameral conference committee report? Sinasaula tayo ng administrasyon ni Bongbong Marcos,” the former executive secretary said.
(Where can you see a P6.352 trillion worth of budget being passed, but there are blank items in the bicameral conference committee report? The administration of Bongbong Marcos is slandering us.)
Last month, Rodriguez, Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, and others asked the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the 2025 national budget unconstitutional amid alleged irregularities and supposed blank items in the bicameral conference committee report.
Duterte allies and a non-government organization on Monday also filed criminal and graft complaints against Speaker Martin Romualdez and five others over alleged P241 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 budget.
Marcos has repeatedly denied the existence of such blank pages.
Earlier, Dela Rosa, another PDP candidate, said that the statement of Marcos against opponents of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas was “uncalled for and unexpected” for a chief executive.
Marcos had said that none of the Alyansa candidates were involved in killings during the war on drugs, corruption during the pandemic, and supporting China in the West Philippine Sea. The President also referred to a false prophet who abused women and children.— VDV, GMA Integrated NewsFor more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
