House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PPAB, Facebook)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte--House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed to help deliver a decisive victory for the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in the May 12 mid-term elections.

Romualdez, leader of the 306-strong House of Representatives made the promise as he played host to President Marcos and Alyansa candidates who took their campaign here on Friday, March 14.

“Ipinapangako ko na mananalo nang malaki ang mga kandidato ng ating Pangulo dito sa Tacloban City at Leyte (I promise that the President's candidates will win big here in Tacloban City and Leyte). We will deliver a  big victory for the Alyansa ticket ,” Romualdez said.

Comprising the Alyansa slate are former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos; former Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao; Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino; Makati City Mayor Abby Binay; House Deputy Speaker Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar; and House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo. 

The House leader said Leyte is considered a bailiwick of both the Marcoses and the Romualdezes.

“Malawak at matatag ang suporta sa Pangulo ng amin (Our support for the president is widespread and strong). I am sure that this will translate into votes for Alyansa candidates on May 12,” he said.

He added that Tacloban, Leyte and Eastern Visayas would choose candidates who would help President Marcos in his aspiration of making life better for all Filipinos and delivering progress to the provinces, including remote communities.

The Speaker recalled that during the 2022 presidential elections, Leyte delivered 641,065 votes to then candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while his closest rival received only 99,207 votes.

“Leyteños consider President BBM as one of their own,” he said.

Leyte is the home province of the President’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, who once served as representative of the province’s first congressional district.

Meanwhile, an estimated 100,000 people trooped to Plaza Libertad here to witness the ninth campaign rally of the Alyansa ticket since the start of the campaign period last Feb. 11. President Marcos headlined the event.

This is the biggest gathering for an Alyansa rally since the one in Pili, Camarines sur last week that was attended by an estimated 80,000 supporters. 

Leyte has 1.4 million registered voters.