The 12 senatorial aspirants backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the administration coalition for the 2025 elections were revealed during the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas convention held in Pasay City on September 26.
The slate comprises a combination of reelectionist senators, former senators, House lawmakers, a mayor, and a Cabinet official. It includes Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Bong Revilla, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
The administration coalition, known as Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, unites key political parties in the country, including Lakas-CMD, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, and National Unity Party. This coalition aims to consolidate its influence and leadership in the upcoming 2025 elections.
It’s worth noting that Senator Imee Marcos was the only candidate absent from the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate announcement. President Marcos Jr. joked that she was “campaigning already,” but Imee has shown differences in opinion with her brother on several key issues in the past. One notable instance was her decision to abstain from the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), where President Marcos Jr. expressed pride in the swift approval. Imee, however, voiced concerns about the potential negative impact on Filipino farmers, emphasizing that they should be prioritized over trade deals.
Another point of divergence was the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF). While the President saw it as a beneficial tool for financial diversification and economic growth, Imee opposed the use of funds from state insurers, arguing that retirement funds should be free from risk.
The differences among the candidates extend beyond the Marcos family. Former Senator Manny Pacquiao was a rival candidate of President Marcos in the 2022 Presidential Elections, presenting an alternative vision for the country. Meanwhile, Senator Tito Sotto served as a rival vice-presidential candidate against Marcos’s ticket, competing with Vice President Sara Duterte. In contrast, Mayor Abby Binay and Senator Pia Cayetano are known for their clashing and vocal opinions on the controversial EMBO barangays issue, highlighting the diverse perspectives within the coalition.
These varying viewpoints suggest that while the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas seeks unity, individual candidates bring distinct narratives and policy priorities to the table.