Senatorial aspirants endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the urgent modernization of the country’s railway system Friday, pledging faster, corruption-free and cost-effective infrastructure development.

The Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates -- reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino, former Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo -- made the appeal during a press conference ahead of a rally in the Bicol region.

Tolentino criticized delays in railway projects, saying action should have been taken "yesterday." He also noted unfulfilled commitments from China on major transport projects.

"The Northrail has been discussed for a long time, and so has the South rail... Let's avoid -- I am referring to another country -- giving sugarcoated promises that they can do it," Tolentino said.

He cited delayed Mindanao and Bicol railway projects promised by China, and suggested the Department of Transportation and economic managers consider countries with greater capacity, such as Korea and Japan.

Lacson, on the other hand, criticized past deals for outdated railway systems.

"The China loan for the railway project was stalled because they are giving us outdated systems. They want to give us their old systems. We need bullet trains now. Let's not rely on shaky railway systems," Lacson said.

He also linked infrastructure delays to government corruption.

"Corruption needs to stop for our infrastructure projects to move forward. This is what's hindering our progress as a country," said Lacson.

Meantime, Abalos stressed long-term transportation planning, noting the country’s car-centric model has worsened urban congestion, adding that mass transport, including railway expansion and subways, is the solution for Bicol and the country.

For his part, Tulfo called for stricter scrutiny of infrastructure projects in the next Congress, noting persistent road issues.

The Alyansa ticket also includes Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Ramon Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, and Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.