THE five parties that are part of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” (Alliance for a New Philippines) met for the first time on Monday night to lay out a strategic plan for the May 2025 midterm elections, including a unified Senate slate and fielding candidates in the local ranks.
The alliance is led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), alongside the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the National Unity Party (NUP).
The meeting, held at the Aguado residence, was led by Lakas-CMD President and Speaker Martin Romualdez, who described it as “a declaration of our shared commitment to the Filipino people,”
“Our unity is our strength, and today, we solidify that bond to ensure that our vision for a better Philippines will continue to be realized. We are here not only to support the programs and projects of President Marcos but also to help realize his vision of unity toward lasting peace and prosperity for all,” Romualdez said.
He added that they wanted to prevent internal conflicts and maintain the incumbents’ equity, ensuring that each party’s interests would be protected as they work together in the pursuit of their shared vision.
“We are not just allies in name. We are united by a shared purpose — to serve our nation with integrity, strength and unwavering resolve. The challenges we face require a coalition that is not only strong but also harmonious. That’s what we are building here today,” Romualdez said.
The PFP was represented by party executive vice president and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., party president and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., Secretary-General Thompson Lantion and legal counsel George Briones.
Lakas stalwarts at the meeting were Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., party executive vice president and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, party secretary-general and Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II, and party treasurer and Deputy Speaker David Suarez.
NP was represented by Sen. Mark Villar, Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron and Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Emano, while the NPC was represented by its chairman, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, and secretary-general and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza.
For NUP, its president, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, and party secretary-general and Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia participated in the meeting.
In a separate interview with reporters, Villafuerte said the alliance’s senatorial candidates will be the “easiest to form” as the parties have committed certain individuals who will run under the coalition.
“We will try to fill up to 12 [spots]. Our aim is to have common coalition candidates coming from the major political parties. That is not hard, as our guiding principle is equal [representation] for all,” Villafuerte said.
He added that some parties will not be able to field a senatorial candidate, such as the NUP, but they are open to suggesting a name that they will endorse.
“In principle, you can suggest as many as you want,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte floated names such as Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, Sotto, reelectionist senators Sen. Bong Revilla and Sen. Francis Tolentino, as well as Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., as among those who are being considered for the administration slate.
However, he said that the alliance is open to “adopting” candidates from other parties, including those that do not belong to the alliance.
Villafuerte also said they do not see a major party that could challenge them in the 2025 polls.
“In all honesty and humility, it would be very overwhelming, plus it is the administration and the midterm elections. We are not boasting, but if everyone works together, we can win 10 to 12 candidates if the alliance endorses them. It would be easy,” Villafuerte said.
He said that the alliance is set to make its final lineup by the middle or third week of September.
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