Some of Metro Manila mayors showed their support for Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate during the alliance's kickoff campaign rally in Pasay City on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The Marcos administration-backed Alyansa senatorial ticket is composed of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benhur Abalos, former Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Senators Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Francis Tolentino, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar of lone district of Las Piñas City, and House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
During the event, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano expressed their support for President Marcos' agenda as they called for a Senate that supports his vision for a stronger and more progressive Philippines.
To show his support, Zamora said he personally reached out to fellow mayors to rally behind the coalition, saying that there are many government projects and programs that truly benefit his people.
“Una sa lahat, ako po ay naniniwala sa ipinaglalaban ng ating mahal na Pangulo na ipagpatuloy ang Bagong Pilipinas at nakita ko po ang kaayusan ng ating bansa lalung-lalo na po kami sa lungsod ng San Juan (First of all, I believe in our dear President’s vision to continue the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, and I have seen the progress in our country, especially in San Juan City),” he said.
Zamora highlighted the soon-to-launch Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program in San Juan as a testament to the administration’s commitment to ensuring decent housing for Filipinos.
“Halimbawa po niyan ay magsisimula ang 4PH Program sa San Juan at ‘yan po ang Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program kung saan magkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang San Juaneños na magkaroon ng sarili nilang disente at marangal na tahanan (An example of this is the upcoming 4PH Program in San Juan, which will give San Juaneños the opportunity to have their own decent and dignified homes),” he explained.
Bianzon, on the other hand, stressed the importance of choosing senators who will support and work with the administration to fulfill the President’s vision for the country.
“Well, unang-una syempre ‘yung ating kasalukuyang Pangulo mayroong mga plano para sa ating bansa na nag-a-agree ako and I think itong remaining half ng term niya kailangan din niya ng full support para rin sa ating bansa (First of all, our current President has plans for the country that I agree with, and I believe he needs full support in the remaining half of his term for the nation's benefit),” he said.
Having served in Congress for several terms, he highlighted Alyansa candidates' experience and potential in policy-making.
“Nakikita ko ‘yung experience ng mga comebacking (senators) at syempre ‘yung iba doon naman na kasama na alam ko ang capability pagdating sa legislation. Having been a legislator myself, mahalaga sa akin ‘yung capability at saka ‘yung mga advocacies na isinusulong kaya nandito ako (I see the experience of the comebacking senators because I had worked with some of them, so I know their capability in terms of legislation. Having been a legislator myself, capability and the advocacies they push for are important to me, which is why I'm here),” he said.
Meanwhile, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., a veteran political figure and father of Alyansa senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos, called the Alyansa senatorial slate an unbeatable force — if their supporters stay united.
“Alam mo, if they could only be voted as one, nobody can beat them. I hope that each and every supporter ng mga kandidato ng Alyansa would not just work for themselves but there should be friendship … wala nang tatalo diyan (no one can defeat them),” he said.
He also vouched for the competence and track records of the administration bets.
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, who welcomed the 12 candidates at their kickoff rally, also fully endorsed the administration’s Senate slate.
She also expressed strong support for President Marcos and the Alyansa candidates, urging Pasay residents to back the coalition.
“Kasama ang Team Calixto, ang Pasay LGU, at lahat ng mamamayang taga-Pasay, we stand firm in maintaining this collective thrust tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas. Kaya sa bawat hiyawan, palakpakan, mas ramdam natin na padating na talaga ang bagong pag-asa (Together with Team Calixto, the Pasay LGU, and all Pasay residents, we stand firm in upholding this collective thrust toward Bagong Pilipinas. That’s why with every cheer and round of applause, we can feel that a new hope is truly on the way),” she said.
She also underscored Pasay’s role as the “gateway to Metro Manila” and its commitment to the national government’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas filled with progress, prosperity and opportunity.
“Being the gateway to Metro Manila, eh siyempre gateway rin tayo dapat sa new opportunities, brighter future, and renewed citizenry. Kaya’t sa Bagong Pilipinas, punong-puno ng asenso, pag-unlad at ginhawa (We should also be the gateway to new opportunities, a brighter future, and a renewed citizenry. That’s why in Bagong Pilipinas, there is prosperity, progress, and comfort for all,” she declared.
The mayors are also hoping for a 12-0 victory for the administration’s Senate slate.
“Yes, of course. Siyempre malaking bagay talaga kung makapag-12-0 tayo sa resulta ng halalan at nandito po kami na mga Metro Manila mayors para magbigay suporta (Of course, securing a 12-0 result in the election would be a big deal, and we, the Metro Manila mayors, are here to show our support),” Zamora said.
“Ang general na panawagan sana magkaroon din ng Senate na nakasuporta nang lubos sa ating Pangulo para magawa niya ‘yung mga kailangan niyang gawin sa remaining portion of his term (The general call is to have a Senate that fully supports our President so he can accomplish what needs to be done in the remaining portion of his term),” Biazon said.