President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has taken a prominent role in the inaugural advertisement for the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) senatorial slate, emphasizing themes of unity, progress, and national recovery. The minute-long advertisement, which debuted on television and online platforms last Monday, features the administration’s 11 senatorial candidates marching alongside individuals from various sectors, symbolizing a collective commitment to the nation’s advancement.
The advertisement’s rallying cry, “forward, forward, forward together,” underscores the coalition’s dedication to collaborative progress. The narrator proclaims, “Lumipas na ang gabi ng lagim. Sama-sama, tuloy tuloy na ang ating pagbangon,” translating to, “The night of terror is over. Together, we will continue to recover.” This message conveys optimism and a forward-looking vision for the Philippines.
The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ senatorial lineup includes:
- Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos
- Makati Mayor Abigail Binay
- Senator Pia Cayetano
- Former Senator Panfilo Lacson
- Senator Lito Lapid
- Former Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao
- Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
- Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III
- Senator Francis Tolentino
- ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo
- House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar
Initially, Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s elder sister, was announced as part of the slate. However, she opted to seek reelection as an independent candidate, citing challenges arising from her inclusion in the alliance.
The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas is a coalition comprising the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP), and the National Unity Party (NUP). Formed on May 8, 2024, the alliance aims to unify major political parties to support the administration’s legislative agenda and promote national development.
The advertisement’s release comes approximately a week before the official campaign period for the midterm elections, which are widely viewed as a referendum on the Marcos administration’s performance. Before this collective advertisement, several senatorial candidates from the alliance had already launched individual campaigns to introduce themselves to the electorate.
The campaign period for national candidates is set to commence on February 11, 2025. As the election season unfolds, the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas emphasizes its commitment to unity and collective progress, aiming to foster a sense of shared purpose among its candidates and supporters.