Alyansa winners: gratefulness, surprises

Metro Manila, Philippines - From gratefulness to surprise, senatorial bets under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas had different reactions to the midterm elections unofficial turnout that shows only five from the group are poised to secure Senate seats.

“The people have spoken. Big surprises on big wins and big upsets,” former Senator Ping Lacson said in a statement on Wednesday, May 14.

Lacson is at seventh place in the partial and unofficial tally. Highest placer among the Alyansa bets is ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo at fourth spot.

Lacson, who lost the presidential race in 2022, said the youth, social media, and issues relating to former President Rodrigo Duterte were among the “game changers.”

Other Alyansa bets in the top 12 are former Senator Tito Sotto who ran as Lacson’s vice president in the last elections and re-electionists Pia Cayetano and Lito Lapid.

In her statement, Cayetano thanked all her supporters for the trust and assured that she would continue to pass laws that “truly uplift Filipino families.”

“I will continue to listen and remain committed to passing meaningful legislation, just as I have in the past,” she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier thanked voters for exercising their rights and expressed gratitude to those who supported Alyansa. 

Former colleagues

Lacson and Cayetano also welcomed the idea of working with opposition bets Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan who placed second and fifth, respectively.

“The biggest beneficiaries of ‘DuterTen’ and ‘Alyansa Minus Two’ are Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.” Lacson said.

“To their credit, they are both qualified, and they campaigned hard, to the last day of the 90-day campaign period. I certainly look forward to working with them again in the Senate in case the current trend of the election results holds,” he added.

Lacson’s “Alyansa Minus Two” refers to Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar and re-electionist Imee Marcos, who were guest candidates of Duterte-backed Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).

Villar secured the 10th spot above Lapid while the presidential sister landed in last place.

Losing candidates

Alyansa bets who did not make the cut also conveyed a mix of shock and thankfulness.

They are boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, and re-electionists Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino.

Revilla showed his surprise over the “unexpected” results where he only placed 14th. He thanked millions of voters for still adding him to their ballots.

Binay and Abalos, who placed 15th and 16th, respectively, thanked supporters and assured them that their service will continue.

Meanwhile, Tolentino bid farewell as a Senator in a video statement and urged officials to continue fighting for the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. He is at 25th spot.