President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday announced the administration’s 12 prospective senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections.
The 2025 senatorial slate was divulged during the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Convention 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The lineup was composed of candidates from various political parties, including the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Nacionalista Party (NP).
These include Marcos’ sister, reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos from NP, along with her party mates Senator Pia Cayetano and Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.
Marcos also announced his support for the former senator Manny Pacquiao, Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino who are members of the PFP.
He also endorsed Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo of Lakas-CMD.
Also joining the senatorial ticket of the Marcos administration were Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and former Senator Panfilo Lacson and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay of NPC.
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, who will serve as the Senate slate’s campaign manager, said the primary consideration in picking the administration’s bets is their support for its legislative agenda aimed at improving Filipinos’ lives.
“So, ang mahalaga dito ay talagang susuporta at naniniwala sila na ang plataporma ng Bagong Pilipinas, iyan ang magpapaunlad sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino (what is important here is that they really support and believe that the platform of the New Philippines, that it will improve the lives of every Filipino),” he told reporters.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a chance interview, said he is “very confident” about the winnability of the senatorial bets of the current administration.
The election period starts with the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1 to 8.
In a chance interview with Palace reporters, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said Marcos is expected to hold an assembly with his preferred senatorial candidates at least once a week. (PNA)