CARMEN, DAVAO DEL NORTE— THE administration’s powerhouse Senate slate, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, on Saturday pressed forward with its Mindanao campaign, undeterred by Davao Region’s reputation as a Duterte stronghold and the largest voting bloc in Mindanao.

Backed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Alyansa candidates are confident that voters will choose competence over political loyalty in the May midterm elections, betting on their track records and public service experience to secure public support.

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a seasoned legislator and key figure in the Alyansa slate, insisted that the group has a strong presence in Mindanao and should not be dismissed as outsiders.

“Ako, tingin ko sa Alyansa, maganda ang chances. Maganda ang chances dito sa Mindanao. I am not saying we will win or all of us will win, but I’m saying lahat kami malaki ang chances namin sa Mindanao, taken Mindanao as a whole,” Sotto told a press conference.

House Deputy Majority Leader and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, a Davao native, dismissed the idea that Mindanao is exclusively under the control of the Duterte political dynasty, arguing that Alyansa candidates have also contributed significantly to the region’s development.

“We hope that ‘yung mga tao po will decide. Siguro naman ho hindi naman kami mapapahiya sa Alyansa, dahil ‘tong mga kandidato na nakikita ninyo sa mga posters, mga government officials na po or used to be government officials na nagtrabaho rin naman, nag-perform din naman during the time of former President Duterte,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo also said that voters should choose candidates based on performance, not merely on political branding.

“Hindi po ako mahihiyang sabihin na lahat naman ng kandidato rito sa Alyansa ay competent. Hindi po masasayang ang boto ninyo. It’s not only because they are kilala. It’s not only because they are sikat. Pakiusap ko lamang po sa mga taga-Davao, the whole of Mindanao, you vote for the performance, hindi po dahil sa apelyido, hindi po dahil sa pangalan,” he stressed.

Former Senator Manny Pacquiao dismissed concerns that Mindanao would be a tough battleground for Alyansa, saying the slate remains unfazed and focused on real change.

“Kami po na grupo ng Alyansa ay hindi po kami nababahala dahil ang aming adhikain at programa ay para sa kabutihan ng sambayang Pilipino at ipinipresenta namin sa taumbayan na gusto talaga namin ng pagbabago—pagbabago ng ekonomiya, pagbabago ng pamumuhay ng bawat Pilipino at umunlad ang kanilang pamumuhay. ‘Yun po ang aking hangad sa ating bansa lalung-lalo na sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino dahil ako man nanggaling sa hirap,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao, a Mindanaoan icon, connected his personal struggles to his political mission and Alyansa’s advocacy.

“Alam ko po ang nararamdaman ng mahihirap na tao. Siguro alam na alam ninyo ang istorya ng buhay ko—natulog sa kalye, walang makain minsan. Kaya ganon ako ka-passionate na tumulong at mabago natin ang ating bansa. ‘Yun lamang po ang legasiya na maiiwan natin ‘pag wala na tayo sa mundo,” he pointed out.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos underscored the importance of directly engaging Mindanao voters, seeing the campaign as an opportunity to introduce Alyansa to a wider audience.

“Ganito pong klaseng pagpupulong with the media, napaka-importante. Sana po makilala kami nang maayos. Salamat sa taga-Davao, taga-Mindanao for accepting us here,” he said.

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay admitted she may not have a strong base in Mindanao but believes earning votes beyond traditional strongholds is key.

“Siguro dahil ‘di ako taga-Mindanao, tayo po ay nanliligaw. That’s the point of the whole reason kung bakit po kami bumababa sa lahat ng regions. Kailangan mo talagang puntahan ‘yung mga lugar na hindi ka malakas. You go out of your comfort zone because gusto mong kumuha ng boto doon sa lugar na ‘yun at gusto mong magpakilala at sabihing ‘Uy, okay pala ito ah, matalino pala ito.’ Makilala ka,” Binay said.

She added: “So, kami po ay nagpapakilala dahil siguro kaya sinasabi ‘yung perception na hindi po kami malakas, mas lalo na po ako, ay hindi po ako kilala. But I am hoping that with the campaign, magpapakilala po tayo ng maayos at makakuha po ng boto at manalo sa region na ito.”

Other Alyansa senatorial candidates include Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco