Marcos fully backs ‘Alyansa’

The administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is counting on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s full support to secure a sweep Metro Manila in the 2025 midterm elections, with its senatorial candidates calling his backing a game-changer.

Former Senator Manny Pacquiao said the president’s support is a decisive factor in the coalition’s push to dominate the National Capital Region (NCR), which has 7.32 million registered voters.

“We are confident that the Alyansa group will achieve a 12-0 victory here in Metro Manila because, first of all, we are supported by the President, and the Alyansa program is really for the poor Filipino people, and to provide jobs and livelihoods for every family,” Pacquiao said.

Metro Manila played a crucial role in the 2022 elections, with 5.96 million voters casting ballots. Marcos received 3.26 million votes, allowing him to win all 16 cities and one municipality. The administration seeks to replicate that success with its Senate slate.

President Marcos has been present at all four of Alyansa’s kickoff rallies—in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Iloilo City; Carmen, Davao del Norte; and Pasay City—spanning Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR.

Meantime, Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III expressed confidence in Alyansa’s standing in Metro Manila, citing his role in converting 10 municipalities—including Makati, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas, and Parañaque -- into cities.

“I am confident because our team is strong. We are known in Metro Manila, people know what we have done. For example, when I became senator in 1992, there were only four cities here: Pasay, Manila, Quezon City and Caloocan. I converted 10 into cities. I’m not billing anyone, just reminding them,” Sotto said.