The administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is banking on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s full and unwavering support to secure a 12-0 victory in Metro Manila, with its senatorial candidates calling his backing a game-changer in the campaign.
Former Senator Manny Pacquiao said the President’s backing is a decisive factor in the coalition’s push to dominate the National Capital Region (NCR), which has 7.32 million registered voters, making it a critical stronghold in the May 2025 midterm elections.
“Kumpiyansa kami sa grupo ng Alyansa na ma-12-0 namin dito sa Metro Manila dahil unang-una, suportado kami ng Pangulo at ang programa ng Alyansa ay para talaga sa mga mahihirap na sambayanang Pilipino, at magkaroon tayo ng trabaho at hanapbuhay ang bawat pamilya,” Pacquiao told a press conference.
Metro Manila played a crucial role in the 2022 elections, with 5.96 million voters casting their ballots, 3.26 million of whom backed President Marcos, allowing him to sweep all 16 cities and one municipality—a victory the administration now seeks to replicate with a strong Senate slate.
Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the President’s direct involvement and presence in campaign events are giving Alyansa a major boost in voter confidence.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa full support ng Pangulong Marcos. Nandito siya every time na may out-of-town event, nandyan siya kasama ang Alyansa, at malaki talagang tulong na maibibigay kapag ang Pangulo mismo ng Pilipinas ay nagbibigay ng kanyang unqualified support,” Lacson said.
President Marcos has been a constant presence at all four of Alyansa’s kickoff rallies—in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Iloilo City; Carmen, Davao del Norte; and Pasay City—spanning Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR, reinforcing the coalition’s aggressive nationwide campaign.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III expressed confidence in Alyansa’s standing in Metro Manila, as he cited his role in converting 10 municipalities—including Makati, Mandaluyong, Las Piñas and Parañaque—into cities.
“Ako, confident ako kasi malakas ‘yung team namin. Kilala kami sa Metro Manila, alam ‘yung mga nagawa namin. For example, when I became senator in 1992, there were only four cities here: Pasay, Manila, Quezon City, and Caloocan. I converted 10 into cities. Hindi ako naniningil, nagpapaalala lang ako,” Sotto said.
Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Marcos’ landslide win in NCR during the 2022 polls reflects the trust and confidence that Alyansa hopes to secure in the upcoming elections.
“Noong last presidential election, if I’m not mistaken, the President swept all 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila. Overwhelming po ang tiwala na ibinigay sa ating Pangulo. And of course, this is the President’s team, Alyansa,” Abalos said.
Makati City Mayor Abby Binay and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar cited the coalition’s strong local ties and its understanding of Metro Manila’s pressing issues, including traffic congestion, food inflation, and crime.
“Right now, we are still courting voters in the [NCR], perhaps that is why we are here. Pero nakikita kong isa sa mga strengths ng Alyansa dito sa [NCR] ay marami sa aking mga kasama dito ay taga-NCR,” Villar said.
Binay added that Alyansa represents a strong mix of executive and legislative experience.
“The Alyansa is a really good complement—mayroong galing sa executive, mayroong galing sa legislative, at mayroong kanya-kanyang experiences that have somehow contributed to Metro Manila,” Binay said.
Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, a former chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, pointed to his contributions to NCR’s infrastructure, including the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) transport hub and MRT-7, as proof of Alyansa’s capability to deliver real solutions to urban challenges.
“Kagaya po ng sinabi nila, kahit papaano mayroon din naman tayong naiwang footprints dito sa Metro Manila. Malapit-lapit din po dito ang PITX na halos sinimulan ko. Narinig ko kanina ‘yong MRT-7, naaalala ko pa ako ‘yong NCR-RDC (Regional Development Council) noong aming sinimulan ‘yan. ‘Yung unang poste ng Skyway at marami pa hong iba,” Tolentino said.
House Deputy Majority Leader and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo cautioned that despite Alyansa’s strong position, it is not taking anything for granted.
“We are confident, but we don’t want to be complacent. Otherwise, kung sobrang kumpiyansa po ang Alyansa, wala ho sanang rally sa Metro Manila. Hindi na ho kami magra-rally sa Ilocos o Iloilo, lalo na sa Mindanao. Ibig sabihin ho, we are still courting the votes of the voters,” Tulfo said.
The Alyansa ticket is also composed of Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, and Senator Imee Marcos