Marcos made last pitch for Alyansa bets

In a last-ditch effort to woo the voting public, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revived his famous campaign promise: We need unity.

At the miting de avance late Friday in Mandaluyong City of his Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate, Marcos underscored the need for a united Senate dominated by his allies to achieve the administration’s goals—particularly to bring down the cost of goods and services by supporting his legislative agenda.

Marcos emphasized that the strong support from the current Congress—where he holds a supermajority—has significantly helped the government ease inflation and lower the price of rice by amending key laws.

The momentum, he said, must be sustained by electing senatorial candidates who support his policies and socio-economic roadmap, especially amid political turmoil and deepening conflict with former allies.

"We have already started numerous projects and programs. We need to continue and further develop them so that all sectors of society are included, united, and contributing," he said in Filipino.

He continued, "We won’t get anywhere if we don’t agree and don’t work together. That’s why we brought together the best candidates we know for senators—so we can see continued progress, continued development."

The Chief Executive, alongside ally-turned-critic Vice President Sara Duterte, won a landslide victory in the May 2022 polls by marketing themselves as champions of unity in a country fractured by political divisiveness and instability. Two years later, the nation has witnessed their bitter falling out.

Despite this, Marcos still leans on the unity message. He claimed that in nearly three years in office, the country has made significant progress because of “unity,” citing the cooling down of inflation and persistent efforts to lower rice prices.

Recently, the Department of Agriculture rolled out P20-per-kilo rice in Cebu—but it was immediately put on hold due to election-related concerns.

He noted that the suspended sale of subsidized rice, distributed through his Kadiwa program, was only temporary and would resume after the 12 May elections. Targeted beneficiaries include senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The program will later expand nationwide.

Aside from this, the President also highlighted the country’s economic growth and discussed ongoing government efforts to create more jobs, build more schools, and improve the healthcare system.

Marcos claimed that continued progress and economic relief await the country if the 11-member Alyansa slate secures Senate seats.

The crowd estimate at Alyansa’s “grand” miting de avance was pegged at 22,000, according to the slate.

The Alyansa ticket is composed of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, re-electionists Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, former senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.

Villar was the only one absent from the final official rally. Since March, she has been noticeably absent from multiple Alyansa sorties after her family opposed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte—who was later endorsed by Vice President Duterte.