Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday hailed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as a “popular endorser,” saying his backing gives the administration’s powerhouse Senate slate, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, a major advantage in Negros Oriental.
“Any endorser from a popular endorser will definitely boost or help the chances of those being endorsed. And you, yourself, stated a while ago … that the President overwhelmingly won in Negros Oriental,” Lacson said during a press conference with other Alyansa senatorial candidates.
He added: “So the other half is it’s up to us to inform the people kung ano ‘yung aming mga plataporma, ano ‘yung aming mga accomplishments and all. So the way to do it is the same way that we are campaigning in the other parts of the country.”
Lacson’s remarks reflect the confidence of Alyansa’s candidates, who are banking on a combination of the Chief Executive’s strong backing and their own governance experience to secure votes in the province, a stronghold for the President in the 2022 elections.
During the 2022 polls, President Marcos topped the presidential race in Negros Oriental with 254,806 votes.
The President’s endorsement power is also evident in the latest OCTA Research survey, conducted from January 25 to 31, which shows more Filipinos support the Marcos administration.
Other members of Alyansa echoed Lacson’s sentiments, pointing out that the previous victory of President Marcos in Negros Oriental serves as a strong foundation for the coalition’s campaign.
House Deputy Majority Leader and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said that the administration’s fulfillment of its promises in Negros Oriental will reinforce voter trust in Alyansa.
“We are very confident na mananalo kami dito sa Negros because of the fact na dito sa Negros Oriental, nanalo nga ang Pangulo dito at hindi naman siguro mapapahiya ang Pangulo because may mga pangako siya na na-deliver din naman,” Tulfo pointed out.
“He’s (the President) very confident also na mabibitbit niya ang Alyansa. At the same time, dito po sa 12 kandidatong pinili naman po ito ng Pangulo, hindi po ito pinagpupulot-pulot kung saan-saan,” he added.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III highlighted the strength of the Alyansa slate and the President’s endorsement as key factors in their confidence.
Responding to a question on whether they believe the President’s victory would extend to the Alyansa slate, Sotto said: “The answer is yes, obviously, because the President is endorsing us. And if you look at the lineup—the 12 candidates of Alyansa—we are confident that the people of Negros Oriental will see the experience and the help that we’ve given the country, the efforts as public servants that we have served,” Sotto said.
“I, for one, will remind you that I made the cityhood of Bayawan in Negros Oriental. Marami rito may mga nagawa rin for Negros Oriental. So with the President’s backing, I think the answer is yes,” he stressed.
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos pointed to improvements in peace and order under the Marcos administration, particularly in Negros Oriental, which he said helped revive tourism and economic activity.
“We know what happened before—there was turmoil in peace and order, and tourism declined. But look at Negros now, look at Dumaguete now. The economy is alive, and the people are vibrant,” Abalos said, recalling his role in appointing the current police leadership in the province.
“That will speak for the record of the President and the platforms of Alyansa,” he pointed out.
Former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar also noted the administration’s initiatives in job creation and economic recovery as key priorities of the coalition.
“Ang grupong Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas ay kumpiyansa para makakuha ng maraming boto sa inyo sa Negros Oriental, especially sa Dumaguete na nanalo rin dito ang Pangulo,” Pacquiao said.
“‘Yung programa ng Alyansa ay para sa kabutihan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Ito ay magpo-focus sa pagbibigay ng trabaho at hanapbuhay, negosyo para sa maliliit na pamilya. So ‘yun ‘yung focus namin na sinusulong dahil ‘yan po ang isa sa pangunahing problema ng ating bansa—‘yung kahirapan,” he added.
For her part, Villar said: “We are happy to be here in Dumaguete and also Negros Oriental to introduce ourselves and also to show support for the actions and programs of our dear President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.”
She continued, “I think the President’s actions have spoken for themselves. He has supported Dumaguete and Negros Oriental and contributed a lot, especially in peace and order. There are also other programs for livelihood and jobs that we would also like to support and propagate, and hopefully, all our kababayan here in Negros Oriental see that.”
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay emphasized that while the President’s endorsement is a powerful boost, the public service records of administration candidates remain their strongest asset.
“So, I guess lagi namang sinasabi namin na we are confident to win in the area that we are going into. I guess the fact that the President won here in 2022 is an added bonus, especially if you are part of the administration’s slate,” Binay said.
“But if you notice the speech of the President, consistently sinasabi niya, ilan sa amin ang abogado, ilan sa amin ang congressman, ilan sa amin ang dati nang may experience sa government. So we are chosen based on our track record, based on our qualities, our capabilities, or what kind of service we can give to the government,” she added.
The Alyansa slate also includes Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Lito Lapid, and Francis “Tol” Tolentino.
