President Marcos campaigns for admin Senate bets
LAOAG, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — The usually diplomatic President Marcos was in fighting mode during the kickoff rally of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas yesterday as he took a swipe at his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte over a number of issues that hounded the previous administration, including its brutal drug war and its pivot to China.
Speaking before a jampacked crowd at the Centennial Arena here in his bailiwick,
Marcos heaped praises on his allies who are running for senator and touted their extensive government experience, while taking a jab at other groups that he said had difficulties forming a lineup.
He then made reference to several controversies tied to the Duterte administration and claimed that none of the senatorial bets were involved in them.
“Look at the record of our candidates. None of them are tainted with blood because of Tokhang,” the President said, referring to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign which left more than 6,000 suspects dead, based on official figures.
During the latter part of his speech, Marcos alluded again to the Duterte drug war, saying nobody wants innocent lives to be taken away from their families.
“Do we want to return to the path where the blood of innocent children who were taken away from their mothers are flowing? Children who were snatched from their homes and who were deprived of their future? No Filipino wants to return to that kind of governance,” he added.
Marcos also claimed that none of the Alyansa candidates had stashed public funds while Filipinos were dying due to the pandemic. He was apparently referring to the allegations that the Duterte administration had entered into questionable procurement deals at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
“None of them (Alyansa candidates) was involved in the pocketing of sacks of money, took advantage of the pandemic crisis and allowed our countrymen to get sick and die,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos also hit Duterte’s policy on China, which has been engaging in aggressive behavior to assert its illegal maritime claim in the South China Sea. The former president was accused of being too soft on China and of not doing enough to assert the Philippines’ rights and interests in the strategic seaplane.
“None of them applauded China and was happy when we were fired with water cannons, when the coast guard was hit, when our fishermen were blocked and when their catch was stolen from them,” Marcos said.
“As a nation with dignity, diligence and intelligence, will we allow a return to a time when our leaders want our country to become a province of China,” he added, referring to a joke made by Duterte during one of his public addresses.
Marcos also claimed that none of the candidates of the administration coalition was an “altar boy of a false prophet who is accused of abusing our youth and our women,” a reference to Duterte’s spiritual adviser, detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing human trafficking and sexual abuse charges.
Marcos added that no member of the Alyansa lineup supported crime hubs and the abuses against women linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). The gambling entities that proliferated during the time of Duterte have been banned by Marcos, citing their social costs.
Marcos called on voters to support the administration alliance, saying its candidates have contributed to the betterment of the country.
“This May, do not look at other names. Shade the names of everyone in front of you and let us make 12-0 the result in the Senate,” he said.
Priority bills
The administration’s senatorial candidates jumpstarted their campaign here in President Marcos’ bailiwick, announcing their priority bills for the coming legislative session, focusing on economic relief, job creation, social welfare, and governance reforms.
The 12 administration candidates are running under the ticket Alyansa Para sa Bayan. The event was held at the Centennial Arena, attended by about 8,000 supporters, mostly clad in red shirts, the traditional campaign color of the Marcoses.
Before the kickoff rally, eight of the 12 Alyansa senatorial candidates held a press conference to present their respective advocacies designed to improve the living standards of the Filipinos.
Aiming for another Senate stint, former senator Panfilo Lacson emphasized transparency, reaffirming his commitment to refile a bill requiring all government officials, from the lowest ranks to the President, to sign a waiver on their rights under the Bank Secrecy Act.
“My first bill, and the one I consistently advocate, is the waiver of rights under the Bank Secrecy Act for all officials, from the lowest ranks to the President,” Lacson said.
Also making another Senate bid, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he would prioritize measures against fake news and fake content, rightsizing and streamlining of government agencies, and the granting of 14th-month pay to workers.
Former Interior and Local Government chief Benhur Abalos said he is pushing for amending the Local Government Code to clarify the roles of LGUs and the national government in infrastructure projects, including school buildings, roads, and healthcare facilities.
Reelectionist Sen. Francis Tolentino vowed to refile a bill removing value-added tax on electricity, saying the measure would provide much-needed financial relief to Filipino households.
Former senator Manny Pacquiao highlighted the need for sustainable livelihood programs and the strengthening of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to generate more jobs and improve income opportunities for Filipinos.
Outgoing Makati Mayor Abby Binay vowed to push for tax exemptions on 13th-month pay and overtime, as well as free maintenance medicines for senior citizens. She also expressed support for the 14th-month pay proposal.
Outgoing Rep. Camille Villar said her priority legislation would focus on boosting industries that create jobs, particularly in construction, infrastructure, and tourism, to help address unemployment.
ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo stressed the need for laws that strengthen the economy, support MSMEs, and improve healthcare. He proposed increasing PhilHealth coverage to at least 50 percent of hospital bills for Filipinos in need.
“The Alyansa has one goal – to make laws for the economy to improve the economy assisting and helping MSME…to provide jobs, keep on generating MSME would mean generate jobs,” said Tulfo, a former Social Welfare and Development chief.
Political dynasty?
In Quezon City, independent senatorial candidate Ben Tulfo dismissed claims that his family is forming a political dynasty, saying he and his brothers – Sen. Raffy Tulfo and and Erwin of ACT-CIS – have different political views and have no bailiwicks.
“Let’s define political dynasty. Is there a law against it? If there is, why is Congress not enforcing it? I am against political legacies,” Tulfo told reporters during his campaign kickoff rally in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City.
He argued that dynasties require political bailiwicks, which he claimed the Tulfo family does not have.
“How can we be a dynasty when we don’t have a bailiwick? If we are in the Senate, that’s national,” Tulfo said.
He emphasized that he and his brothers have different political principles and decision-making approaches.
“A dynasty is when power is passed within a family. If all three of us, Erwin, Raffy, and I, become senators, will we just hand power to each other? No, because we are different,” he said.
“We may be brothers, but we think differently. We have different principles, beliefs, logic, and intelligence. What we share is a commitment to help, but beyond that, there must be something higher, and that is common sense,” Tulfo added.
“I do not belong to any (political) party. Many groups have adopted me because we (Tulfos) are authentic – we are prepared. We are not just people who suddenly decided to enter politics without a clear purpose,” he added.
He said his decision to run stemmed from his observations over the past two decades of systemic weaknesses in governance.
“For 23 years, we have seen the flaws in the system,” Tulfo said. “When you help people, the issues span across agrarian reform, farmers, the environment, law enforcement, social justice, crime, and the economy. The real victims are the people.” Tulfo said he is aiming to address these gaps by pushing for legislative solutions.
“If you see a weakness, you have two choices: Can you replace it? Do you have something better to offer?” he said.
Good governance
In Bocaue, Bulacan, the CIBAC (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) party-list vowed to continue its advocacy for good governance as well as its fight against corruption.
CIBAC’s opening campaign rally was held at the municipal covered court in this town.
CIBAC is considered the country’s longest serving party-list, undefeated since 2001. It has pushed for 223 laws like Anti-Red Tape Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Good Manners and Right Conduct Law, and Ease of Doing Business Act, among others.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, son of CIBAC Rep. Eddie Villanueva, has endorsed his father’s party-list on its opening rally.
“Corruption is happening not just in government but in morality as well. This is society’s malady that’s getting worse here in the Philippines and across the world,” he said. “This, CIBAC will continue to fight,” he said.
His father, CIBAC’s first nominee, called on the Filipino people to join the fight against corruption and immorality.
“As long as the world exists, CIBAC party-list will continue to work for the welfare of Filipinos because this is not just CIBAC’s fight, this is the fight of all well-meaning Filipinos who love the country, and most of all who love God,” Eddie Villanueva said.
Pink wave for Bam, Kiko, Akbayan
Meanwhile, former vice president Leni Robredo graced the kickoff campaign of former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan as well as the Akbayan party-list, at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman.
Aquino and Pangilinan are hoping that the so-called “pink wave” of over 15 million people who voted for Robredo in 2022 would send the two of them back to the Senate.
Akbayan pledged to fight for the welfare of Filipinos and advocate for equal protection under the law.
“For the law to be fair, our lawmakers must be honest. In Akbayan party-list, we are committed to integrity, and we will ensure that your welfare is protected and advanced,” Akbayan’s first nominee, Chel Diokno, told supporters during the campaign kickoff.
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña joined Diokno in the event, which began with a Zumba session led by working mothers from Quezon City communities.
After the launch, Diokno and Cendaña attended a mass at the UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice alongside former vice president Leni Robredo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and opposition senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino. Former senator Leila de Lima also joined the campaign.
Akbayan’s nominees later split up for house-to-house campaign: Diokno and Hontiveros in Tondo, Manila, and Cendaña in Barangay Krus na Ligas in Quezon City.
Akbayan’s third nominee, Dadah Kiram Ismula, led a fluvial parade featuring the region’s iconic vintas in Zamboanga symbolizing unity and cultural pride among Moro and Indigenous communities.
“We have been marginalized for the longest time, but with Akbayan, we feel the love and support for our IP and Moro communities as they push for our rights,” Ismula said.
Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares called on voters to help the party-list group return to Congress.
“The absence of Bayan Muna in Congress has only emboldened corrupt politicians and big business interests to pass laws that burden the people while benefiting the rich and powerful,” Colmenares said.
“For more than 20 years, Bayan Muna lead the fight for the interest of the oppressed poor. We also fought for the lowering of prices of basic commodities and increase in salaries of workers,” he added. — Jun Elias, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Mark Ernest Villeza, Edith Regalado, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jose Rodel Clapano
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