SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), yesterday mobilized the party’s full political machinery nationwide to secure a sweeping victory for the 11-member senatorial slate of the pro-administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in the 2025 midterm elections.

Speaking before a powerhouse assembly of governors, lawmakers, city mayors, and local leaders from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Speaker Romualdez issued a direct call to action: mobilize every ground force, every local leader, and every every local community network in support of pro-administration candidates who will uphold and accelerate President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s reform agenda.

“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. Subok na subok sila. I know each and everyone of them have proven themselves. Hindi tayo mapapahiya sa taong-bayan. These are the right candidates. This is the future of the Philippine Senate and the Republic of the Philippines,” Speaker Romualdez made the declaration during a breakfast meeting held at Imelda Hall, Aguado Residence in Malacañang.

“These are the best candidates for the Philippine Senate, palakpakan po natin silang lahat. 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 Lakas-CMD officials, members, and the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates.

“The victory of the Alyansa is the victory of the people,” Speaker Romualdez said. “Our citizens are tired of the noise, drama, and political grandstanding. What they demand is unity, delivery, and continuity—and that’s exactly what this slate offers.”

Prior to the event, Lakas-CMD leaders observed a minute of silence in honor of the late Pope Francis.

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), Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., and Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez expressed their full support for Speaker Romualdez’s call to rally behind President Marcos’s senatorial candidates.

Some of the governors who attended include Fred Castro (Aklan), Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu (Sultan Kudarat), Alonto Mamintal Adiong (Lanao de Sur), Abdusakur Tan (Sulu), Peter Unabia (Misamis Oriental), Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin), Melchor Diclas (Benguet), James Edduba (Kalinga), and Jose Miraflores (Aklan), and others.

Speaker Romualdez said this comprehensive lineup reflects the party’s deep bench of experience and reformist energy.

“We are choosing leaders who build, not break. Leaders who legislate, not obstruct. Leaders who offer solutions, not slogans,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“This is not just a Senate campaign—it is a grassroots movement for good governance. The engine of national progress is local governance. Kaya ang laban ng Alyansa ay laban ng bawat lalawigan, bayan, at barangay.”

He stressed that Lakas-CMD, as the country’s dominant political party recognized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), has a historic responsibility not just to win—but to lead.

“This is not business as usual. This is a mission. We are not simply endorsing candidates—we are rallying behind a shared vision aligned with the values and direction of President Marcos,” Speaker Romualdez added.

He also took a swipe at political opponents bent on sowing division.

“Let them throw mud—we will build roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs. Let them play politics—we will serve. The people will see through the noise and choose results,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is composed of five major political parties — Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity Party (NUP), and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)—all united in their commitment to strengthening the Marcos administration and realizing the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco