‘Alyansa’: PBBM support an advantage amid political noise
TRECE MARTIRES CITY — Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Friday maintained that running under the administration remains a clear advantage, citing the need for strong legislative support to sustain President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s development agenda.
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa’s campaign manager, said the President’s remaining three years in office present a crucial opportunity to sustain the country’s momentum in infrastructure and regional development.
“Kung ano po ang advantage ng pagiging Alyansa? May advantage. Alam naman natin na may tatlong taon pa si President Bongbong Marcos,” Tiangco told reporters at a press conference.
He continued, “Katulad ng ginawa niya rito, pinuntahan niya ang mga proyekto niyang napakahalaga—‘yung CALAX (Cavite-Laguna Expressway). At alam naman natin na hindi naman diyan nagtatapos ang mga proyekto, so marami pang mga proyekto in the pipeline.”
Tiangco stressed that the Senate plays a vital role in ensuring these programs move forward.
“Para matuloy ang mga napakagagandang proyektong ito, napakahalaga na ‘yung legislative agenda niya ay masuportahan ng mga kasamahan nating senador,” he pointed out. “Kung titingnan ng ating mga kababayan ‘yang bagay na ‘yan sa ganitong perspektibo, maniniwala sila na talagang importante na masuportahan ang Alyansa.”
He reiterated that Alyansa offers candidates who are not only aligned with the administration’s priorities but are also highly competent.
Alyansa senatorial candidate and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III echoed this forward-looking message when asked if the slate is being affected by political controversies, including the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Sa akin kasi, ang attitude ko, history has a way of catching up the past. Kaya ako, I’d rather not look at the past. I’d rather look forward,” Sotto explained.
“Ang pinag-uusapan dito, makakatulong ba kami sa bansa natin o hindi? Makakagulo lang ba kami? So, I’d rather not talk about them, the past. I’d rather look forward and say that we are, I am ready to serve,” he said.
“We have very good programs. We have a track record to back us up, and we have the experience to be able to deliver these programs well. That is definitely good for the country.”
Another Alyansa candidate, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, said he initially had doubts about running, but ultimately saw that his advocacies aligned with the administration’s governance priorities.
“Noong unang-una kaming ipinakausap ni President Bongbong … kinausap kami kung sakali raw kami ay tatakbo, baka pwedeng doon kami sa administration slate,” he recalled. “At that time I was reluctant, not because ayaw ko, kundi reluctant ako kung tatakbo pa o hindi.”
He added: “Nakikita ko ‘yung alignment ng aking mga matagal nang advocacies doon sa ginagawa ni Pangulong Bongbong, particularly pagdating sa budget. Ibaba natin ‘yung biyaya ng national budget sa mga local government units—at ‘yun nga ‘yung talagang ginagawa niya.”
Lacson cited Executive Order No. 82, which strengthens the role of Regional Development Councils, as a reflection of this grassroots approach to national budgeting—something he has long championed.
“’Yung output ng mga local development council, kulang na kulang sa national expenditure program. So para sa akin, advantage ‘yon,” he said.
Lacson also pointed to digitalization as a shared priority. “Ito ‘yung makakapagpabawas ng corruption kapag nag-fully digitalize tayo,” he said.
As the campaign intensifies, Alyansa candidates emphasized that their focus remains on policies, performance and national progress—not personalities or political noise.
“Siguro ‘yung mga tao naman, mas discerning or can be discerning enough para kilatisin ‘yung mga kandidato. Hindi lamang ‘yung magagaling mam-bash o magaling sa fake news ang kanilang iboboto kundi tingnan ‘yung mga record mismo ng mga kandidato,” Lacson said.
Aside from Sotto and Lacson, the Alyansa slate is also composed of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; Makati City Mayor Abby Binay; reelectionist Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos and Francis “Tol” Tolentino; former Senator Manny Pacquiao; ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo; and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
