By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is upbeat about getting the support of Leyte voters in the upcoming elections, with the province touted as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s turf in the Visayas.
In a grand rally at Plaza Libertad, just across the old provincial capitol building here, thousands of supporters gathered Friday night as candidates outlined their platforms in line with the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, focusing on economic growth, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.
The President led the rally along with nine of the 12 senatorial candidates endorsed by his administration.
“Bakit po naging Alyansa ang tawag sa amin? Kung maalala po ninyo ang mga eleksyon, mga kampanya, kapag naglalabasan po ‘yung mga kandidato, kadalasan po pare-pareho ‘yung suot na T-shirt, parehong kulay lahat (Why are we called Alyansa? If you remember in elections and campaigns, the candidates usually wear matching T-shirts, with the same color),” Marcos said.
“Ngunit kami ay naiba – naiba dahil kami ay iba’t ibang partido ang pinanggalingan. Ngunit dahil sa aming paninindigan na dapat – na kung talaga tayo ay tapat na magserbisyo sa publiko, dapat tayo ay lahat na nagtutulungan, dapat lahat tayo ay magkaisa, dapat lahat tayo iniisip lamang ang kapakanan ng taong-bayan at kung papaano pagandahin ang Pilipinas. Iyan po ang grupong Alyansa na nasa harap po ninyo ngayon (But we are different – different because we come from different parties. But because of our stance that we should – that if we are truly honest in serving the public, we should all work together, we should all be united, we should only think about the welfare of the people and how to make the Philippines better. That is the Alyansa group that is here before you now),” he said, eliciting applause from the crowd.
With 1.4 million registered voters, Leyte has long been a political stronghold for the family of the President.
If the Ilocos Region is considered the bailiwick of the Marcoses in the north, Leyte is touted as their turf in the Visayas.
In the 2022 national elections, Marcos secured 641,065 votes in the province, a decisive lead over his closest rival, who received only 99,207 votes.
The President’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, is a native of Leyte, and once served as representative of the province’s first congressional district.
In a press briefing, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa’s campaign manager, expressed confidence that Leyte voters would once again deliver strong support for the administration’s Senate slate.
“Leyte has always stood with President Marcos and his vision for a stronger Philippines. We believe the people of Leyte will continue to support leaders who will work with the administration in delivering real progress,” Tiangco said.
The Alyansa ticket present during the rally were former interior secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, former senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, former senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Senator Francis Tolentino, and ACT-CIS Rep. and former social welfare secretary Erwin Tulfo.
Those who did not make it to the rally were Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Imee Marcos, and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
The Tacloban rally was the ninth campaign event for the Alyansa slate as it seeks to consolidate support ahead of the May 12 elections. (PNA)
