3 Alyansa bets soldier on despite low rankings in recent surveys

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga —Three senatorial candidates endorsed by the Marcos administration remained positive despite low ranking in the latest senatorial surveys for Eleksyon 2025. 

Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino said he is not worried about the latest survey results, noting that this has been the case when he first ran in 2019. 

“Di naman worried… Ganun din naman ako noong nakaraang eleksyon, ganun din, pero okay pa tayo,” Tolentino said in an ambush interview. 

Tolentino denied rumors that he was thinking about returning to PDP-Laban, his former party led by former President Rodrigo Duterte, and dismissed these as mere “intrigues.” 

He explained that he has left the PDP-Laban due to differences in policy on China. 

In the same interview, Tolentino disowned an Instagram story posted on his verified account over the weekend where a pro-Duterte opinion piece was shared. 

“Hindi ako ‘yun eh. May nang-hack sa akin. Ang Instagram ko dormant for the last one and a half years. Kahit tingnan niyo. Hindi na ginagamit, bigla na lang may nag-open,” Tolentino said. 

In a separate interview, former Interior Secretary and senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos Jr. said survey rankings are part of the election race. 

“Ganun naman talaga ang laban in any case. Surveys are just surveys. Iba iba nga ang surveys e, titignan mo ang isa iba ang resulta, ‘yung isa iba ang resulta, at the end of the day it is the people who will decide,” Abalos said. 

While he admitted that he is “new” in the senatorial race, Abalos urged voters to look at his track record and his work experience, which included his former positions as mayor, MMDA chairman during the COVID-19 pandemic, and congressman. 

He also mentioned his accomplishments during his tenure as DILG secretary, particularly the seizure of P33.8 billion worth of illegal drugs, as well as the arrest of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy. 

“Sana maging mapanuri ang ating mga bumoboto, tignan natin lahat ito at ako, ang credentials ko its on the record walang bahid ‘yan,” Abalos said. 

For his part, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who is eyeing a Senate comeback in 2025, said he is “not worried” about the latest survey results. 

“Ikot lang sipag lang. Yon naman ang importante sipag at marinig tayo ng taumbayan ung mga plataporma natin yung makatulong sa mahihirap na tao,” he said. 

In the latest commissioned survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in April, Pacquiao ranked 12th, Abalos landed in the 17th to 18th spot, while Tolentino is in the 21st place. 

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS partylist Representative and senatorial candidate Erwin Tulfo said he is “happy” with his second ranking in the SWS survey.

“From nowhere for several months naging number one tayo. 

It doesn’t matter anymore eh. Why do we have to gun for top one? 

Ang importante, we will perform in the Senate. Nakakahiya naman top one ka pero wala kang performance. Sabihin sayang lang ang boto namin,” Tulfo said. 

Although he is one of the frontrunners in the 2025 senatorial race based on the latest surveys, Tulfo said he will continue to campaign and explain his platforms to the people. 

Tulfo said he will also campaign for other Alyansa bets who are “lagging behind.” 

“Di pwede maging kampante ka pero at the same time di lang personal na lakad ko yun.  Ika-campaign ko pa rin ‘yung Alyansa lalo na yung dalawang kasama namin na lagging behind,” Tulfo said. 

The incumbent officials of the provincial government of Pampanga hosted four local rallies today for the 11-man Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas ticket. 

Of the 11 administration candidates, only senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson skipped the campaign activities in Pampanga. 

They were all endorsed by Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda. 

“This is a strong show of support. Kapampangans turned out in large numbers, and the energy on the ground was truly encouraging,” campaign manager Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said.

“We thank Governor Delta, Vice Governor Nanay Baby, and all our Kapampangan leaders for standing strong with Alyansa,” he added.

Pampanga is the eighth province with the most number of registered voters for Eleksyon 2025 with 1,674,789. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

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