HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday rallied over 100 members of the House of Representatives to present a united front in support of the 11 senatorial candidates under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition.
Speaker Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, addressed more than 100 lawmakers in a gathering at the Imelda Hall of the Aguado Residence in Malacañang, stressing the need for united action to propel the Alyansa senatorial candidates to victory.
“We need to put extra effort into our Alyansa candidates. As I’ve said in many of our gatherings, we must vote straight Alyansa. We have to go that extra mile for them, and that’s why we’re here,” Speaker Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP), told his colleagues during a luncheon meeting.
“Let’s all pull together for the Alyansa slate of the President. They are the partners that the President has chosen with the alliance of political party heads and the best partners, our partners in Congress. They will be in the Senate and we in the House to lead our country to peace, stability and prosperity. So I really want to ask you to dig deep and exert all effort and to leave no stone unturned in this endeavor,” Speaker Romualdez added.
“In this crucial midterm election, unity is strategy,” Speaker Romualdez said. “We must combine our political networks, local machinery and grassroots support to deliver a clear and convincing victory for the President’s Senate slate.”
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales of Pampanga, Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez of Quezon, Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin of Iloilo, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Agusan del Norte Rep. Joboy Aquino spoke to express support for Speaker Romualdez’s call to back Alyansa candidates, including lawmakers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Lawmakers who attended the meeting are members of Lakas-CMD, Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), National Unity Party (NUP), and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI).
Speaker Romualdez said the Alyansa senatorial lineup embodies the goals of Bagong Pilipinas of President Marcos, who are not only competent and experienced but are also public servants who understand the urgency of reform.
“These are men and women who will stand by the President as he steers the country forward. They are not just allies in name, but true partners in nation-building,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Among the 11 Alyansa senatorial candidates are former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino, former senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manny Pacquiao and Tito Sotto, Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo and Rep. Camille Villar.
“These candidates are not just familiar names, but they are tested public servants who have walked the difficult path of governance. They bring to the table both experience and fresh resolve. Their track record speaks for itself, and their future in the Senate will strengthen our collective vision for Bagong Pilipinas,” Speaker Romualdez noted.
He cited recent efforts of political allies to consolidate support for the Alyansa slate. Just last week, 10 of the 11 senatorial candidates attended a meeting hosted by Lakas-CMD, where they received the full endorsement of the party attended by at least 200 of its officials and members.
This was followed by the PCFI’s declaration of full support for Alyansa bets, which was attended by 40 of its 60 party-list members in the House following a meeting with Speaker Romualdez, who solicited their support for President Marcos’s candidates.
Speaker Romualdez reminded his colleagues that the midterm elections will determine the momentum of President Marcos’ remaining term.
“If we want to sustain economic growth, upgrade our infrastructure, improve education and bring down food prices, we need a Senate that works with the President, not against him,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Ito ay tungkol sa kinabukasan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Ang boto ngayong halalan ay hindi lang boto para sa kandidato. Ito ay boto para sa tuloy-tuloy na serbisyo, para sa kapayapaan at para sa mas maunlad na bukas,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Speaker also emphasized the role of lawmakers on the ground.
“Your endorsement carries weight. You are trusted voices in your districts. The people listen to you, and now is the time to speak with clarity and conviction in favor of the Alyansa team,” Speaker Romualdez said. “These are strong signals that the political base of this administration is united. Now we must bring that unity to the barangays, to the communities, to every Filipino voter.”
Speaker Romualdez said the momentum of Alyansa’s campaign is building and lawmakers must help bring it over the finish line.
“This is not the time to sit back. This is the time to go all in. Let us not be distracted by the noise. We must focus on what truly matters: delivering a Senate that will help the President govern effectively,” Speaker Romualdez said. (END)
CAPTION: Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats president, leads a unity luncheon meeting with over 100 members of the House of Representatives at the Imelda Hall, of Aguado Residence in Malacañang Thursday, May 1, 2025, rallying support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s 11 senatorial candidates under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate. Speaker Romualdez said the momentum of Alyansa’s campaign is building and lawmakers must help push it over the finish line.
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