President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to support his administration’s senatorial slate, emphasizing that none of his endorsed candidates were involved in extrajudicial killings during the drug war, corruption during the pandemic, or pro-China policies in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at the proclamation rally of Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday night, Marcos took aim at previous administrations, questioning whether Filipinos wanted to return to a time when the country was allegedly treated as a “province of China” and where bloodshed marked the streets due to the war on drugs.
“Tignan niyo po ang record ng ating mga kandidato. Wala sa kanila ang may bahid ng dugo dahil sa tokhang. Wala sa kanila ang kasabwat sa pag bulsa ng sako-sakong pera pinagsamantalahan ang krisis ng pandemya,” he said before thousands of Ilocanos at the Centennial Arena.
The President also made veiled references to controversial figures, including a so-called “false prophet” accused of exploiting women and children. While he did not name names, detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is running for senator under PDP-Laban, faces charges of human trafficking and abuse.
Among the notable figures at the rally were former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, outgoing Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., as well as ex-Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and former Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Manny Pacquiao.
Imee Marcos’ attendance surprised many, as she had previously declined to be part of her brother’s official slate.
The event drew a large crowd, including senior citizens from various Ilocos municipalities, who braved the heat while wearing shirts bearing the administration ticket’s names. As they waited for Marcos and the 12 senatorial candidates, attendees were entertained by celebrities Arci Muñoz, Sheryn Regis, Bugoy Drilon, and Andrew E.
Local Ilocos officials, including outgoing Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, and presidential son Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, also welcomed the candidates to the province.
Marcos closed his speech with a strong endorsement of his Senate lineup, urging Filipinos to vote straight for Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
