Campaign period for national bets begin

MANILA, Philippines — It is officially election season for candidates seeking seats in the Senate and those aiming for party-list posts in the House of Representatives, as the campaign period officially starts on Tuesday, February 11.

This period, which will end on May 10, will see the official proclamation and full-salvo campaigns of 65 senatorial and 156 party-list groups bets—now officially designated as candidates—as well as the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) intensified crackdown on illegal campaign materials.

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Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas

For senatorial candidates under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas line-up—the administration-backed slate—start their campaign at Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

A press conference where all 12 candidates are expected to be present will be held at 1 p.m. here in Laoag, while the official proclamation rally will begin at 4 p.m.

Marcos will attend the rally at the Centennial Arena, Northern Luzon’s largest indoor venue.

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“This is not just a campaign launch—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to build on the progress we have made under President Marcos Jr.,” Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, campaign manager for the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, said in a statement.

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“Ilocos Norte has always been a cradle of transformative leadership, and from here, we are sending a message: to continue delivering results for every Filipino,” he added.

The following candidates form part of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate:

• former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos
• Makati City Mayor Abby Binay
• Senator Pia Cayetano (seeking re-election)
• Senator Imee Marcos (seeking re-election)
• Senator Lito Lapid
• former Senator Panfilo Lacson
• former Senator Manny Pacquiao
• Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. (seeking re-election)
• former Senate President Vicente Sotto III
• Senator Francis Tolentino (seeking re-election)
• ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo
• House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar

“This is a Senate slate that knows governance and delivers results. May kanya-kanyang track record at accomplishment ang mga kandidato ng Alyansa,” he said.

(Each of the Alyansa’s candidates have their own track record and accomplishments.)

“The people have seen the results of our leadership, and we hope to earn their support again. We will bring our message of unity and development across the country, starting here in Ilocos Norte,” he added.

Ilocos Norte is only the first leg of the proclamation rallies for the Alyansa. After Laoag, the candidates will move to Iloilo City on February 13, and then Carmen, Davao del Norte by February 15. Their first sortie in Metro Manila is expected to be held on February 18, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

PDP-Laban

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) chaired by former president Rodrigo Duterte would take a different path in terms of campaigning.

Reporters were told that PDP bets are slated to commence their proclamation rally on Feb. 13—two days after the campaign season officially begins.

Of all the PDP bets, only senatorial aspirant and alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy is set to conduct his own proclamation rally on Feb. 11.

Completing the list of PDP senatorial bets are as follows:

• Raul Lambino
• Philip Salvador
• Apollo Quiboloy
• Rodante Marcoleta
• Bato dela Rosa
• Bong Go
• Jimmy Bondoc
• Jayvee Hinlo

Makabayan Coalition

Makabayan Coalition’s slate meanwhile will start their campaign at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in the City of Manila, with candidates focusing on house-to-house campaigning.

According to Makabayan, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Teacher France Castro will first visit the Ramon Magsaysay High School, while Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas will be joining the Gabriela Women’s Party in Quezon City.

Former Bayan Muna party-list lawmaker Teddy Casino will be joining the party-list in its house-to-house campaign at Tatalon, Quezon City, and then at the Kaunlaran Covered Court in Litex.

Urban poor leader Mimi Doringo will also be with Bayan Muna’s house-to-house campaign, before visiting the Commonwealth Market by afternoon. Transport leader Mody Floranda meanwhile will be joining a mini-motorcade of a local tricycle group in Sampaloc, Manila at 8:30 a.m.

Labor leader Jerome Adonis will visit pier workers in Tondo, Manila; fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo will be going to a community in Baseco, Manila; nurse leader Alyn Andamo will be with health workers in different hospitals starting with the UST hospital.

Peasant leader Danilo Ramos on the other hand will start campaigning in Malolos, Bulacan, while former Gabriela lawmaker Liza Maza and Moro leader Amirah Lidasan will be with Bayan Muna Mindanao at Cagayan de Oro City.

Comelec’s Oplan Baklas kicks off

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia also reminded the aspirants to campaign responsibly during this period.

Garcia made this reminder as the Comelec launched its intensified “Oplan Baklas” upon the start of this period to remove illegal campaign materials in public properties.

However, the Comelec chief noted that the poll body will not burn or dispose of the illegal campaign materials at once.

“We will compile [the illegal campaign materials] because it could be evidence in case we need to file cases,” Garcia said in a press conference at Palacio del Gobernador on Monday.

Garcia said the Comelec will issue a notice to candidates who had illegal campaign materials.

The Comelec will then give them three days to remove the campaign materials, he said.

Meanwhile, Garcia noted that the Comelec could not yet remove the illegal campaign materials of local candidates since the campaign period for local posts will only begin on March 28 (ends May 10).

The Comelec only has jurisdiction on local and national candidates once their respective campaign periods begin.