TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte--Just like they promised, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog Party-list gave an emphatic declaration of support to the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate on Thursday, May 8.

The declaration took place at the packed Tacloban City Astrodome here, just four days before Filipinos cast their ballots on the 2025 mid-term elections.

"Sa gitna ng ating rehiyon, nagsasama-sama tayo hindi lang bilang mga botante, hindi lang bilang mga partidong pulitikal, kundi bilang iisang sambayanan na may iisang layunin: ang isulong ang Bagong Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa, pagkilos, at paninindigan,” Speaker Romualdez said.

(This afternoon, in the heart of our region, we come together not just as voters, not just as political parties, but as one nation with a single purpose: to advance the vision of Bagong Pilipinas through unity, action, and conviction.)

“Ang pagtitipong ito ay hindi lang kampanya, ito ay deklarasyon. Deklarasyon ng Eastern Visayas na tayo ay buo, tayo ay matatag, at tayo ang mangunguna sa panalo ng Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” added Speaker Romualdez, president of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

(This gathering is not just a campaign—it is a declaration. A declaration from Eastern Visayas that we are whole, we are steadfast, and we will lead the victory of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.)

The grand rally was jointly hosted by Lakas-CMD led by Speaker Romualdez Tingog Party-list represented by Yedda Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

The House leader asked the crowd to "vote straight" Alyansa, to which he received a postiive response. He earlier said that the Waray vote was three-million strong. 

“Mga kababayan, itong rally ay higit pa sa pagpapakilala ng mga kandidato. Ito ay pagtitibay ng ating panata bilang mga lingkod-bayan at mamamayang Pilipino,” Speaker Romualdez said. 

(My countrymen, this rally is more than just an introduction of candidates. It is a reaffirmation of our pledge as public servants and Filipino citizens.)

The Alyansa slate includes Benhur Abalos, Abby Binay, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino, Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar.

“Hindi po ito mga bagong pangalan sa politika. Pero ang dala nila ay bagong sigasig, bagong malasakit, at bagong pangako ng pagkilos para sa mas maayos na kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino,” the Speaker.

(These are not new names in politics. But they bring fresh enthusiasm, renewed compassion, and a new commitment to action for a better future for every Filipino.)

He said the Alyansa slate must come out as number one in Easten Visayas, in deference to President Marcos. Marcos, who traces his roots in the region, is the main endorser of Alyansa. 

Local political heavyweights and grassroots representatives joined the show of unity and strength in favor of the administration ticket.

“We speak today not merely as governors, but as stewards of our provinces who know what our people truly need. And what we need are leaders in the Senate who will fight for development in the regions, uphold local voices and ensure that progress is shared across the country,” said Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, a stalwart of the President’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), in an interview.

“These are our barangay leaders telling us who they trust. And the answer is clear: they want senators who will partner with them, not leave them behind,” Evardone said. “Our support for the Alyansa slate is grounded in hope. We will hold these candidates to the same standard of excellent service we ask of ourselves,” Evardone said.

Southern Leyte Govenor Damian Mercado said the gathering was more than a political event, it was a reaffirmation of a long-standing commitment to national transformation. 

“Sa Southern Leyte malakas ang Alyansa kasi solid kami doon (Alyansa is strong in Southeast Leyte, we're solid there),” Mercado said, a stalwart of Lakas-CMD. 

He says the support of his province is rooted in discernment. He promised to deliver majority votes for the President's slate.

House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino, a former congressman of Eastern Samar, also attended the event.

“These local and community leaders are the conscience of their barangays. They know the needs on the ground. Their trust means these candidates have passed the test of local leadership,” said Acidre.

He said the huge turnout means a united front for Eastern Visayas. He said that the rally was “governance meeting ground-level wisdom".

“You don’t get a crowd of this scale without deep trust and shared purpose. This is not simply about winning an election: it’s about building the kind of Senate that understands local realities and national aspirations,” Acidre added.