President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and senatorial candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas urged for a stop to political attacks amid the frenzied campaigning for the 2025 midterm elections.

The coalition made the call during a press conference and during a campaign rally in Pasay City on Tuesday.

A jampacked Cuneta Astrodome warmly received the Alyansa bets on Tuesday, with the crowd estimated at 6,000 to 8,000.

Still, Marcos could not resist taking a potshot at his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte over the latter’s remark about “killing” 15 administration senators and senatorial bets to make space for his nine bets in the Senate.

“Please allow me to count our candidates because I am making sure they are complete and that no grenades have been detonated on them,” Marcos said in Filipino at the top of his speech.

He noted the difference between Alyansa’s candidates compared to other senatoriables, a recurring theme Marcos has been talking about since the proclamation rally in his bailiwick Ilocos Norte.

“You will not hear any more bad words, you will not hear any threats, you will not hear any swearing,” he said.

Marcos highlighted the political experience of his 12 senatorial candidates, many having served as local government officials or lawmakers.

“They already know what to do, they already know the needs of people because they have been serving all of you all their lives,” he said.

He assured the public that the Alyansa candidates have the same principles as him and are ready to defend Philippine sovereignty against bad actors and foreign enemies. An observation made against Duterte and alleged him to be “pro-China.”

The Alyansa senatorial bets had subdued responses to Duterte.

According to former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, other parties should “de-escalate” instead of escalating political tensions. “This will not bring any good to our countrymen, especially to the average Filipino. It would be better to campaign on one’s own merit,” he said.

He also opposed any kind of negative campaigning, as well as making negative remarks against candidates. “Our election is very divisive, let’s not add to the divisiveness. That is my request,” Lacson stressed.

For former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, candidates should “stick to the issues” instead of strategizing “attacks” against political opponents.

“Once you start personal attacks on anyone you have lost the debate,” he said.

Former senator Manny Pacquiao emphasized that the Philippines is a democracy and the public should be the one to decide who should be elected.

“We have no opponent here. We are a democracy, the people will choose, we will lay out our platforms and leave it to the public whether we are chosen or not,” he said.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said that the Alyansa team will not be affected by comments made by other parties and instead focus on wooing votes.

“We are not affected by this. We will campaign, we will work, we will walk our performance and we will continue to woo the voters,” Abalos said.

Across the political spectrum, PDP President and Senator Robin Padilla defended Duterte, emphasizing that despite Duterte’s tough image, he is “not a violent man.”

“He is kind and religious behind the curtain of politics,” Padilla explained.

Padilla went on to express regret for any offense the comment may have caused, offering an apology on behalf of Duterte.

He said that if any legal repercussions should arise from the remark, Duterte is prepared to face them. “I apologize to those who were hurt. If there is any legal liability, the Mayor will face it. Digong was born ready,” Padilla added.

Meanwhile, Malacañang had no involvement in the filing of complaints for inciting sedition and unlawful utterances against former President Duterte, P/Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre said on Tuesday.

“There was none. I don’t think Malacañang should be involved in this because this is purely law enforcement. The police are law enforcers, and we see a violation of the law,” he told reporters.

During the PDP Laban proclamation rally on 13 February, Duterte said his senatorial slate could secure seats if 15 sitting senators were killed.

“Let’s kill the senators now to vacate the seats. If we can eliminate 15 senators, we can all get in. Talking of opportunities, the only way to do it is to blow them up),” Duterte uttered.

Torre, likewise, pointed out that no senators had reached out to the CIDG regarding the issue, but added that they were free to file separate complaints if they wished to.

Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday downplayed former president Duterte’s controversial remarks, saying she’s not afraid because he’s now used to Duterte’s “Davao trash talk.”