President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. campaigned for the Alyansa sa Bagong Pilipinas (ABP) senatorial slate in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, February 21, urging voters to support experienced leaders who can drive economic growth, protect local industries, and enforce laws without resorting to violence.
Mayor Javi Benitez, son of Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and a known Marcos ally, hosted the event. Marcos previously visited Negros Occidental for official functions, but this rally marked his first campaign rally in the province as president.
Benitez called the event a historic moment for Victorias and Negros Occidental. He recognized the strong support from Victorias residents, praising them for standing for progress and development.
Meanwhile, in the 2022 elections, Leni Robredo won in Negros Occidental with 527,321 votes, while Marcos garnered 482,344 votes. This support for Robredo led to the province being dubbed as one of the “Kakampink” strongholds — a fusion of words kakampi (ally) and pink, the signature color of her campaign.
Given this history of the political landscape, his recent campaign visit in the province signaled a strategic effort to strengthen his political influence previously considered an opposition stronghold.
What’s in his speech?
In his speech, Marcos emphasized that ABP’s senatorial lineup consists of leaders with proven track records in governance, rather than just familiar names.
The lineup includes eight former senators, along with experienced governors, mayors, and Cabinet officials, he said.
Marcos introduced the members of the alliance, including Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Senators Pia Cayetano, Francis Tolentino, and Bong Revilla Jr., as well as former Senators Lito Lapid, Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo Lacson, and former Senate President Tito Sotto.
Also part of the lineup were Representatives Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar, along with Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.
Marcos suggested that a strategic and humane approach to crime and illegal drugs, dismissing violent methods as unnecessary.
He also emphasized the importance of effective law enforcement that maintains peace and order without resorting to killings.
Which is which?
During the rally, president’s sister Imee, opposed importation of goods and warned about its negative impact on local farmers and industries.
However, Senator Francis Tolentino pushed for the Sugar Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, which would direct sugar import tariffs into a trust fund that would allegedly benefit local farmers, workers, and local government units (LGUs).
On the other hand, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III called for expanded government aid and initiatives for farmers, emphasizing their role in ensuring food security.
With the ABP’s campaign in the fourth largest province in the country, Marcos and his team aim to bolster economic resilience, promote agricultural development, and introduce governance reforms, as they work to gain support from Negros Occidental voters ahead of the midterm elections.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.