Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates are optimistic that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s victory in Negros Oriental during the 2022 presidential elections will translate to similar results for their slate in the May 2025 national and local elections.
In a press conference ahead of the administration ticket’s campaign rally at the Governor Mariano F. Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City Thursday afternoon, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III said that with the President’s endorsement, he is confident of a win for their line-up.
“The President is endorsing us and if you look at the line-up, the 12 candidates of Alyansa, we are confident. The people of Negros Oriental will see the experience and the help that we’ve given the country, (our) efforts as public servants, that we have served (them),” he said.
Former senator Panfilo Lacson echoed Sotto’s sentiments, saying the endorsement of a popular president boosts their chances of winning.
“Any endorser from a popular endorser will definitely boost or help the chances of those being endorsed,” he said.
Seeking a return to the Senate, boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao also said he is upbeat that their slate would dominate the May 12 elections.
“Ang grupo ay kumpiyansa para makakuha ng maraming boto sa inyo sa Negros Oriental especially sa Dumaguete na nanalo din dito ang Pangulo (Our group is confident of getting many votes from you in Negros Oriental, especially in Dumaguete where the President also won),” he said.
Former local government secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said, “The President has won all the votes needed in Negros and I do believe, our performance will speak for itself.”
ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said the President would be proud to introduce the administration slate in Negros Oriental because he has delivered on his promises to the people here.
“So, we’re very confident also na mabibitbit niya ang Alyansa (he can carry the Alyansa through),” he said.
Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar said the President’s action has spoken for itself as he has supported Dumaguete and Negros Oriental in terms of peace and order and livelihood and jobs generation.
Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said Marcos’ victory here in 2022 “is an added bonus, especially if you are part of the administration slate.”
She noted, however, that their track records in government service, as well as their capabilities to serve are also important in their bid for Senate seats.*PNA