MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has directed members of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) to fully support the senatorial slate of the administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition in the 2025 midterm elections.

Speaking during a breakfast meeting at the Aguado Residence in Malacañang on Tuesday, Romualdez urged governors, lawmakers, and local leaders allied with Lakas-CMD to campaign actively for the coalition’s 11 senatorial candidates, saying the administration needs allies in the Senate to sustain President Marcos Jr.’s policy agenda.

“Straight Alyansa. Diinan natin lahat sila, walang iwanan dito. Ito ang gusto ng ating Mahal na Pangulo,” Romualdez said durin the meeting.

“These are the right candidates… This is the future of the Philippine Senate,” he said.

The meeting, held at Imelda Hall, gathered officials from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including key Lakas-CMD figures such as House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and Deputy Speaker David Suarez. Governors in attendance included Fred Castro (Aklan), Pax Ali Mangudadatu (Sultan Kudarat), and Abdusakur Tan (Sulu), among others.

Romualdez described the coalition’s lineup as a mix of experienced legislators and former officials who could ensure “continuity” in government programs. He also criticized political opponents, accusing them of stalling government efforts.

“Let them throw mud—we will build roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs,” he said. 

“Let them play politics—we will serve,” he said.

The Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas is composed of five major political parties: Lakas-CMD, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Nacionalista Party (NP), National Unity Party (NUP), and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). 

The group is campaigning on a platform of support for the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” governance vision.

The coalition’s 11-member Senate slate includes:

1. Benhur Abalos – former Interior Secretary (PFP)
2. Abby Binay – Makati Mayor (NPC)
3. Pia Cayetano – incumbent senator (NP)
4. Lito Lapid – incumbent senator (NPC)
5. Ping Lacson – former senator and police chief (Independent)
6. Manny Pacquiao – former senator and boxing champion (Independent)
7. Bong Revilla – incumbent senator (Lakas-CMD)
8. Tito Sotto – former Senate President (NPC)
9. Francis Tolentino – incumbent senator (PFP)
10. Erwin Tulfo – House Deputy Majority Leader (Lakas-CMD)
11. Camille Villar – Las Piñas Representative and Deputy Speaker (NP)

Villar was the only candidate absent from the event. Senator Imee Marcos was initially part of the slate but later withdrew her Alyansa spot following the International Criminal Court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s war on drugs.