Marcos’ Alyansa ends campaign in Abalos bailiwick

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The Alyansa slate starts and ends its 90-day campaign in the bailiwicks of its members

MANILA, Philippines — The administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilpinas is set to stage its “final rallying cry” in the home turf of one bet whose numbers have been wanting: Mandaluyong City. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to join his slate for a campaign rally along Nueve de Febrero Street in Mandaluyong City, the bailiwick of Alyansa senatorial bet and former interior secretary Benhur Abalos, on Friday, May 9.

The city’s incumbent mayor, Ben Abalos, is the Senate candidate’s father. Benhur’s wife, Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos, is the incumbent vice mayor. 

Traffic advisories from the local city government advised motorists that Martinez, Nueve de Febrero, and New Fabella Road will be “closed to traffic for a political event” from May 8 to 9. 

Alyansa is an 11-person slate composed of the following candidates: 

• Former interior secretary Benhur Abalos 
• Makati Mayor Abigail Binay 
• Reelectionist Senator Pia Cayetano 
• Former senator Panfilo Lacson 
• Reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid 
• Former senator Manny Pacquiao 
• Reelectionist Senator Bong Revilla 
• Former senator Tito Sotto
• Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino 
• ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo 
• Deputy House Speaker Camille Villar  

The slate used to be composed of 12 persons, but reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of the President, exited the slate after the arrest of Duterte. 

Of the 11, eight to nine are almost constantly part of the list of candidates statistically likely to make it on May 12. Depending on the survey, Abalos, Tolentino, Pacquiao, and Villar have seen themselves slip out of the so-called “Magic 12.” 

Nueve de Febrero is a site where Mandaluyong celebrates its liberation and founding day. 

“From the first rally in Laoag to the final stage in Mandaluyong, the message has been the same — Filipinos want a Senate that delivers for them,” said coalition campaign manager Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco. 

Alyansa had kicked off its national campaign in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of Marcos and his clan. Marcos has joined 16 of the slate’s rallies — only missing a sortie in Pangasinan because he was in the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. The President also joined his candidates in Cebu for a One Cebu rally hosted by Governor Gwen Garcia. 

Marcos, as chief campaigner of his 12-turned-11-person slate, has painted the elections as a choice between his administration and a “pro-China” and “bloody” Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Yet his bets have been careful not to upset the base of either clan, even after the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and her father’s arrest. 

The Villars had been vocal of their disapproval over Duterte’s arrest. Camille, who is trying to be the fourth Villar senator, has skipped several of their sorties after former president Duterte’s arrest. Her absence continued after getting the endorsement of Vice President Duterte. – Rappler.com