The administration’s senatorial candidates Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas defended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he took a swipe against the allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte gunning for senatorial seats.

In a press conference in Iloilo City where the admin slate launched its Visayas campaign leg, several candidates said Marcos Jr. was merely expressing his own opinion.

“Hindi naman kandidato si President eh. Ang sinasabi namin kaming mga kandidato, hindi siya. So he was merely stating facts and that is his as far as his perspective is concerned so it does not anything to do doon sa mga sinasabi sa'min ng aming campaign manager na walang siraan,” said former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. 

PDP-Laban Senate candidates hit back at Marcos Jr.

They maintained that they will not engage in negative campaigning against their opponents.

"Nag-usap usap na po ang Alyansa na we will stay away from negative campaigning. We will just base it on performance. Hindi namin babanatan yung kabila kundi ilalatag lang po namin ang nagawa,” Rep. Erwin Tulfo stated.

Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson for his part offered a possible explanation behind the president’s assertions.

"Medyo extreme ito ah, sabi ko nga speculation ito. Baka naman merong mga seryosong threat security threat hindi lamang sa kanyang admin kundi sa kanyang sariling buhay. Minsan kasi pagkatayo nadadala ng emotion, nae-express natin in a subliminal manner,” he said.

"Hindi naman siguro atake yun, para sa'kin hindi naman siguro atake yung sinabi niya na information, sinabi lang niya yung background lahat ng mga kandidato”, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao added, noting that they do not want to attack their rivals. 

Former DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos also said he sees nothing wrong with Marcos Jr.’s statements. 

Bato blasts Marcos Jr. for 'uncalled for' comments about PDP candidates 

"Nung sinabi niya na wala man sa mga ito ang sa China, hindi man kami ano ng China, for me hindi naman masama na sabihin mo 'yun. It's not negative if you're going to look at that, lahat naman talaga kami we're for Philippine sovereignty,” he said.

In his speech at the proclamation rally in his bailiwick, Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the president seemingly thrown shade against the Duterte-endorsed candidates as he emphasized the “clean” track record of the admin bets.

“Tingnan niyo po ang record ng ating mga kandidato. Wala sa kanila ang may bahid ng dugo dahil sa tokhang. Wala sa kanila ang kasabwat sa pagbulsa ng sako-sakong pera, pinagsamantalahan ang krisis ng pandemya, pinabayaan ang ating mga kababayan na magkasakit at mamatay,” he said at the kickoff rally Tuesday, February 11.

He also made the similar speech at the Iloilo rally Thursday, February 13.