Four senatorial candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas—Tito Sotto, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Camille Villar—joined the second leg of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s “One Cebu Suroy-Suroy” heritage and political caravan held April 12 and Aprl 13, bringing national leaders directly to voters in the country’s most vote-rich province.
It was the second time Alyansa candidates participated in the caravan, following the March 27 to March 29 leg in southern Cebu. The campaign, which combines heritage tourism with grassroots consultations, allows candidates to engage informally with local leaders and residents.
The four candidates, endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., toured more than a dozen towns and cities with Garcia’s One Cebu Party. The initiative aligns with Alyansa’s focus on community-based leadership and rural development.
Cebu, with over 3.4 million registered voters, remains a crucial electoral stronghold. Alyansa’s active presence underscores its efforts to consolidate support in the Visayas ahead of the May midterm elections.
Sotto, principal author of 259 laws, highlighted key measures he authored, including the calamity fund, family courts, the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Mental Health Act, and the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” law. He also vowed to refile proposals to institutionalize the 14th-month pay and criminalize fake news. “I need the support of Cebu—Ako Bisaya,” Sotto said.
Lacson praised Garcia as one of the most respected leaders in the Visayas and vowed to push for increased tourism funding if re-elected. “Cebu’s GDP hit P411 billion in 2023, up by six percent—that alone deserves congratulations,” he said.
Pacquiao, a former senator and boxing legend, focused his message on fighting poverty and corruption. Deputy Speaker Villar, meanwhile, pledged to continue her family’s legacy of public service by supporting OFWs, creating jobs, and promoting affordable housing.
The Alyansa ticket also includes former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and ACT-CIS Rep. and former DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo.