House Speaker Martin Romualdez far right confers with fellow top leaders from political parties (Speaker’s office)

Is this the genesis of the administration’s Senate slate for 2025? 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez led on Monday night, Aug. 19 a meeting of top leaders from the country’s major political parties under the banner of “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for the New Philippines)". 

The meeting, carried out for the purpose of crafting a strategy for next year's mid-term polls, was held at the Aguado residence in Malacañang. 

The alliance is headed by President Marcos' party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). However, Romualdez's Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) is very near the top of the coalition, which also includes the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Nacionalista Party (NP), and the National Unity Party (NUP). 

Romualdez, president of the ruling Lakas-CMD, led the discussions with a clear focus on fostering unity, preventing internal conflicts, and ensuring that the coalition's strategy for the May 2025 polls was both cohesive and effective. 

“This is more than just a strategic planning session; it is a declaration of our shared commitment to the Filipino people,” declared the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. 

“Our unity is our strength, and today we solidify that bond to ensure that our vision for a better Philippines will continue to be realized. We are here not only to support the programs and projects of President Marcos but also to help realize his vision of unity towards lasting peace and prosperity for all,” he said. 

Romualdez emphasized the need to prevent internal conflicts and maintain incumbents' equity, and to ensure each party's interests are protected as they work together in pursuit of this shared vision. 

“We are not just allies in name. We are united by a shared purpose—to serve our nation with integrity, strength, and unwavering resolve. The challenges we face require a coalition that is not only strong but also harmonious. That’s what we are building here today,” he said.

The filing of certificates of candidates (COCs) for the May 2025 elections begins in October.

(Speaker’s office)

Who attended the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas meeting? 

From the PFP, the delegation during the meeting included Special Assistant to the President Antonio “Anton” Lagdameo Jr., Executive Vice President; South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, president; retired Gen. Thompson Lantion, secretary general; and lawyer George Briones, legal counsel. 

Also present were Lakas-CMD stalwarts Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr.; House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, who also serves as the party’s executive vice president; Agusan del Norte 1st district Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, the party’s secretary general; and Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez, who serves as treasurer. 

Representing the NP were Senator Mark Villar, Iloilo 4th district Rep. Ferjenel Biron, and Misamis Oriental 2nd district Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano. 

NPC was represented by its chairman, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; and with its secretary general, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza. 

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte, NUP president; and Bataan 2nd district Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia, NUP secretary general, also took part in the meeting. 

“This is just the beginning,” Romualdez said. “As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen our coalition, refine our strategies, and ensure that our vision for a new Philippines is realized in every corner of the nation.”