DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental – Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates supported by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said they are confident on winning Negros Oriental in the elections.

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Las Pinas City Rep. Camille Villar, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, and Sen. Francis Tolentino faced  members of the media in a press briefing at the Negros Oriental Convention Center here prior to the group’s campaign rally at Gov. Mariano F. Perdices athletic field on Thursday, Feb. 20. 

SENATE bets of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas – Benjamin Abalos Jr., Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Camille Villar, and Abigail Binay – hold a press briefing at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City on Thursday, Feb. 20. (Glazyl Masculino)

They were accompanied by their team manager Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco.

Sotto said they are confident because the President is endorsing them. He said they can secure votes by reminding the people of what they have done and what more they can do for the people of Negros Oriental.

“If you look at our lineup, all 12 candidates of Alyansa are confident that the people of Negros will recognize the experience and contributions we have made to the country and our efforts as public servants,” Sotto said, adding that many of them have already made an impact in the province. 

Abalos said he believes that the President’s performance will speak for itself. 

He recalled that when he was still the Interior and Local Government Secretary, peace and order were disrupted and tourism dropped in the province because of what happened in the past.

“We all know what happened before. The situation was nearly a crisis. People were scared, no one wanted to come here. But look at Negros now, look at Dumaguete now. Peace and order is restored, the economy is thriving, and people are happy. That’s what’s truly important,” he said.

Tulfo said they are very confident about winning in Negros Oriental because the President won in the province in the past. 

He noted that the President chose them and they weren’t just picked randomly. “All of us are qualified. The President will not be ashamed, and Negros will not be let down by carrying Alyansa,” he said.

Lacson said that any endorsement from a popular figure definitely boosts the chances of those being endorsed. 

He said that the President overwhelmingly won in Negros Oriental. “It’s up to us to inform the people about our accomplishments and platforms. We will campaign in the same way we’ve done in other parts of the country,” he added.

Pacquiao said that they are confident about getting many votes in Negros Oriental, especially in Dumaguete, where the President also won. 

He said that the group’s program focuses on the welfare of the Filipino people, particularly in jobs, livelihood, and supporting small businesses for families.

Villar said that they are happy to show their support for the President’s actions and programs. “We hope that, just as the people have embraced his leadership, they will also appreciate our efforts,” she added.

Binay said the fact that the President won in the province in 2022 is an added advantage, especially as part of this slate. 

“We were chosen based on our track record, qualities, and capabilities to serve the government. I completely relate to the daily struggles of the people, and I understand their concerns and issues,” she said.

Other members of the slate joined the campaign rally at the Gov. Mariano F. Perdices athletic field. The President also attended. The group will also hold a rally in Negros Occidental on Friday, Feb. 21.