President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. introducing his senatorial slate at the Governor Mariano F. Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City .*
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to the crowd at a rally in Negros Oriental on Thursday, Feb. 20, to vote for the 12 Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates in May because they will protect and promote the interest of the Filipino people, and not instill fear.
Marcos , who spoke to thousands of Negros Oriental residents at the Governor Mariano F. Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City , said “our direction is clear. Our direction is to develop the Philippines, not oppress it. The solution is progress, not fear”.
Marcos said the Alyansa candidates – former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino; former senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Vicente Sotto III; and Representatives Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar, have long experiences in public service and have served the people well.
They come from different political groups but have agreed to unite under one ticket to work for the welfare of the Filipino people, Marcos said.
“They all agreed to come together because they understand that the only solution to our problems is to unite “, he said.
“So we are here to ask for your support in the upcoming elections, for the development of the Philippines, for the improvement of the lives of every Filipino, for the improvement of the Philippines,” Marcos said.
Marcos also said together they will fight for the nation’s sovereignty and rights with diplomacy and dignity.
“We will not give up an inch of our territory “, he said, stressing that Filipinos are the ones who have the right to benefit from the wealth of the nation.
Marcos also said In the fight against crime and drugs, a bloody solution in not the answer.
“We don’t believe that it is necessary to kill thousands of Filipinos to provide a solution to this problem. There is a proper way to achieve peace,” he said.
To improve the economy and provide jobs, Marcos also said that “we don’t have to rely on illegal industries like POGO which has become a den of crime, a nest of violence. The solution is real work, decent pay, and support for small businesses,” he said.*