The Makabayan bloc announces its senatorial slate for the 2025 midterm elections at Liwasang Bonifacio during the observance of National Heroes Day on August 26, 2024. Malabayan's candidates include (left to right) Mody Floranda, Jocelyn Andamo, Teddy Casiño, Arlene Brosas, Ronnel Arambulo, Liza Maza, Danilo Ramos, Jerome Adonis, France Castro, and Mimi Doringo. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Makabayan coalition on Thursday expressed dismay over the partial and unofficial results of the 2025 midterm elections, where political dynasties and traditional politicians emerged victorious in most races.

In a press conference, Makabayan president and senatorial bet Liza Maza lamented the outcome of the recent polls. 

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"Kung makikita natin, nagpapatunay yung election 2025 na ang nananalo pa rin sa halalan ay yung mga reactionaryong politiko, mga traditional na pulitiko. Out of 12, yung 10 nasa either kadiliman o andun sa kasamaan," she said.

(The 2025 elections show that many of those who won are reactionaries, are traditional politicians. Out of 12, 10 are either from 'kadiliman' or 'kasamaan.)

Apart from former Sens. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV and  Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, the winning candidates in the 12-seat Senate race are from either the Marcos Jr. or Duterte factions of the former UniTeam.

The former congresswoman said the fight already began even before the polls. 

"Kahit wala pang kampanya ang namayani na yung pagbili ng loyalty ng tao tulad ng TUPAD at kung anu-ano pa... para magkaroon ng loyalty base ang mga pulitiko, which is patronage politics," Maza said.

(Even before the campaign season, buying people's loyalties through (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers ) and other aid programs for politicians to have a loyalty base, which is patronage politics)

ALLIES' WINS

However, the Makabayan president saw as positive the victory of Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, who are leading the Senate race.

"Although, we are very much viewing in a positive light yung pagkakapanalo ni Bam [Aquino] at Kiko [Pangilinan]. They have a lot of work to do especially impeachment and pagtaas ng sahod ng manggagawa," Maza said.

She likewise congratulated Akbayan Party-list first nominee Chel Diokno and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list first nominee Leila De Lima, who are expected to win in the party-list race. Akbayan 

Maza also congratulated ACT Teachers Party-list ranked 34th and Kabataan Party-list ranked 40th for getting one seat each in the 20th Congress.

She said the fate of Gabriela Party-list remains hanging in the balance, since it is in the 55th spot based on the partial and unofficial count.  

GRATITUDE

Despite none of their senatorial candidates making it, the Makabayan coalition thanked all those who stood by them amid the red-tagging and harassment they said they faced especially during the campaign.  

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"Makabayan thanks all its supporters and campaigners for the 2025 elections. Amid sustained and coordinated attacks by state forces, relentless red-tagging and repression and a campaign of disinformation, we were able to reach out to millions and present an alternative vision for the Philippines," Maza said.

"No other political party today had to endure the attacks that Makabayan and its party-list groups faced. The regime sought to wipe out Makabayan in the electoral arena but it failed. This is a testament to the people’s strength and defiance," she shared.

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