Marcos keen on forming alliance with other parties by October


At a glance

  • Forming coalitions with other parties is not a strange concept in Philippine politics. The "rainbow coalition" became popular during the late former president Fidel Ramos' administration when former Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. put together different political parties to support Ramos' legislative agenda.


Despite admitting that it would be a long shot, President Marcos is determined to form his "Uniteam" anew as he expressed hope to ally with other political parties by October this year, the time when individuals file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

In a speech during the oathtaking of new Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) members, Marcos said he has been receiving positive feedback from the leaders of the other political parties when he suggested the idea for next year's polls.

"I have spoken to the leaders of the other parties and as far as I can tell, eh, mukha naman, willing naman lahat ng tao na makipag-usap (they are all willing to talk), and find a way," he said.

"Nand’yan ang (There's) Lakas, NPC (Nationalist People's Coalition), NUP (National Unity Party). Lalong-lalo na sa House. Pero syempre kailangan din nating kausapin kasi mga governor, may sariling, may mga local party ‘yan (Especially in the House of Representatives. But we also have to talk to the governors because they have their own local parties)," he added.

According to Marcos, the PFP has already formed a steering committee to have enough time to form a coalition with the other political parties by October 2024. The COC filing period is from Oct. 1 to 8.

"[This is the] beginning of that process wherein all of us are starting to consolidate our forces, so that our political forces, so that we can prepare ourselves properly for the next election," he said.

"Medyo suntok sa buwan ‘yan kasi laging may ibang, may ibang nangyayari, mayroong bagong development (It's a long shot because something is always happening. There's always a new development). But, never mind, will keep trying," he added.

Forming coalitions with other parties is not a strange concept in Philippine politics. The "rainbow coalition" became popular during the late former president Fidel Ramos' administration when former Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. put together different political parties to support Ramos' legislative agenda.

The late former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III did the same for his senatorial lineup in the 2013 midterm polls. His rainbow coalition comprised three members from the then-ruling Liberal Party, three from the Nationalista Party, three independent candidates, two from NPC, and one from Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

President Marcos launched the "Uniteam," his version of the "rainbow coalition," when he ran for the presidency in 2022. It comprised the PFP, Lakas-CMD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), and Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), with guest candidates from other parties.