President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  and 10 senatorial candidates of the administration's Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign in Trece Martires, Cavite, on March 21, 2025. Bongbong Marcos/Facebook

MANILA - Leaders and members of the dominant majority party Lakas-CMD were asked on Tuesday to mobilize their networks and throw their full support behind the administration’s 11 Senate bets, “no ifs and buts”, three weeks before the midterm elections.

In an assembly attended by lawmakers, governors, city mayors and local leaders, who belong to the party, Lakas-CMD President and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, issued a call for them to help deliver a “straight” victory for the senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the May polls. 

Marcos Jr. campaigns for only 11 senatorial bets in Alyansa pitch in Laguna

“Pinili ito ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. They will be our partners in peace, progress, and prosperity para sa ating bayang Pilipinas. Dapat talaga diretso tayo dito sa Alyansa, no ifs and buts about it. Ito talaga ang hinihingi ko sa inyo,” Speaker Romualdez told the attendees during a meeting held at the Imelda Hall, Aguado Residence, Malacañang. 

“Please lang. Please, straight Alyansa. Diinan natin lahat sila, walang iwanan dito. Ito ang gusto ng ating Mahal na Pangulo. They are our true partners,” he added. 

Lakas-CMD leaders, led by House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe (Executive Vice President), Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II (Secretary General), House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., and House Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez expressed their full support for Romualdez’s call.

The official Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate candidates are:

1. Benhur Abalos – Former DILG Secretary (PFP)

2. Abby Binay – Makati City Mayor (NPC)

3. Pia Cayetano – Incumbent Senator (NP)

4. Lito Lapid – Incumbent Senator (NPC)

5. Ping Lacson – Former Senator and PNP Chief (Independent)

6. Manny Pacquiao – Former Senator and boxing icon (Independent)

7. Bong Revilla – Incumbent Senator (Lakas-CMD)

8. Tito Sotto – Former Senate President (NPC)

9. Francis Tolentino – Incumbent Senator (PFP)

10. Erwin Tulfo – House Deputy Majority Leader (Lakas-CMD)

11. Camille Villar – Las Piñas Representative & House Deputy Speaker (NP)

Camille Villar still part of Alyansa despite reported Sara Duterte endorsement: Tiangco

 Of the eleven candidates, only Villar did not attend the Tuesday assembly. She was also endorsed by Vice President Sara Duterte, but continues to be part of Alyansa.

 Sen. Imee Marcos, who used to be part of the administration’s Senate slate, “left the Alyansa”, according to the coalition’s campaign manager and Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco.

 Asked about the timing of the Lakas-CMD assembly, which came after Vice President Duterte endorsed her Senate bets, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said

 the two are not connected, adding that the assembly is part of Lakas-CMD’s “regular assessment and updates” from its local leaders.

 “Na-timing lang naman yata… But this is the usual regular na assessment and ‘yung updates from the party leaders from the local level,” he explained.

 A total of 6,114 candidates are running under the Lakas-CMD banner for the 2025 elections, according to Lakas-CMD Executive Director Anna Capella Velasco.