The Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and Nacionalista Party (NP) said they welcome President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s invitation to form an alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) for the midterm elections next year.
The President earlier extended the invitation during the oathtaking of 33 new members of the PFP at a hotel in Manila.
“We have organized a steering committee, we will then go and make our alliances with the different parties. Of course, nandiyan ang Lakas, NPC, NP, NUP, lalong-lalo na sa House,” Mr. Marcos, quoted by GMA News, said.
He added that governors will also be involved since they have their own “local political parties.”
Speaking on the President’s invitation, House Assistant Minority Leader Mikaela Suansing of Nueva Ecija said Lakas-CMD is happy that Mr. Marcos had Lakas-CMD in mind as a possible ally.
“We are elated. And the part of his speech that stood out to me, was at the end part, wherein he said that people are excited to have a genuine unity. I believe that in this administration, President Marcos, Jr. is a huge factor in uniting different parties because he can work across party lines,” Suansing said in a press conference.
“The testament to this is that all the priority measures of the administration are already approved in the House,” she added.
For Nacionalista Party member and Surigao del Norte lawmaker Ace Barbers. Mr. Marcos reaching out to various parties as election allies shows his commitment to “unity.”
“This is a good move on the part of the President. This is a manifestation of unity, because we want to come up with a common agenda for the Filipino people. A big step in doing so is calling for a multi-party alliance because we need a democratic strategy in serving our people,” Barbers told reporters.
“I believe there is no hindrance in PFP forging an alliance with our party. I don’t think that (sealing an alliance) is going to be a problem,” Barbers added.
Mr. Marcos served as the presidential bet of the PFP for the 2022 elections. The PFP, however, did not field a Senate slate in the 2022 polls.
Among the political parties allied with the President in the House of Representatives are the Lakas-CMD led by the President's cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party and Nationalist People's Coalition.—RF, GMA Integrated News
Mr. Marcos is also urging PFP members to prioritize unity and cooperation.
He assured the new members of finding a political home within the PFP and encouraged collaboration at the national level and within local government units, including partnerships with other political parties.
“To the newly sworn in members of the PFP, welcome, and we will make sure that you will find a political home here in the Partido Federal. And beyond that, let us work together, and let us continue to keep in mind that the best way for us to serve our people is to come together and to work as one," he added.
During the oath-taking ceremony of the new PFP members in Manila, President Marcos emphasized the need for a change in the political landscape, stressing that the Filipino populace is weary of political conflicts. Charles Dantes
“People are still thirsty for unity. I believe that until now people don't want to fight anymore. They don't want things to remain stagnant because it's all about politics now,” he said.