Alyansa bets join Gov. Gwen in campaign trail

CEBU CITY – Senatorial candidates belonging to the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas joined the second leg of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “suroy-suroy,” a two-day heritage and political caravan in the country’s most vote-rich province.

SEN. Pia Cayetano and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao with administration senatorial candidates who joined Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia in a two-day heritage and political caravan in vote-rich Cebu province. (Calvin Cordova)

Among those who joined the series of campaign sorties were Sen. Pia Cayetano, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, and Camille Villar.

The two-day caravan started on Friday, April 11, and ended on Saturday, April 12, in Consolacion town.

The senatorial bets welcomed the holding of the unique campaign format, saying it allowed them to have direct, informal conversations with local leaders and citizens.

Cayetano vowed to continue pushing for quality and accessible healthcare services.

“When I became a senator, my first law was the mandatory vaccination for Hepatitis B because I don’t want to see someone die because of hepatitis B like my father,” Cayetano said.

Sotto, who has principally authored 259 laws, highlighted key legislation he championed for local development, including the calamity fund, family courts, the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Mental Health Act, and the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” law.

He vowed to push for the institutionalization of the 14th month pay and the criminalization of fake news.

“If we institutionalize the 14th month pay, it can be given during June when parents pay tuition. I will file this again in the Senate. But I can’t do this alone. That’s why I ask for the support of Cebu-Ako Bisaya,” Sotto said.

Lacson, meanwhile, heaped praise on Garcia, calling her one of the most admired and influential leaders in the Visayas.

“I am a great fan of Gov. Gwen Garcia, not only because of her strong leadership but for bringing Cebu to where it is now. Your gross domestic product in 2023 hit P411 billion, up by six percent. That alone deserves congratulations,” Lacson said.

A former senator and longtime fiscal watchdog, Lacson committed to augmenting the budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT) if re-elected, in support of Cebu’s booming tourism sector.

“If given the chance to return to the Senate, I’ll push for institutional amendments to strengthen the DOT’s budget. Cebu deserves continued support for tourism and development,” Lacson said.

Pacquiao, a former senator and globally renowned boxing champion, brought his message of hope and service to Cebu, as he emphasized his fight against poverty and corruption.

Deputy Speaker Villar reaffirmed her commitment to public service, focusing on support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), job creation, and affordable housing.

“Nais ko pong ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulan ng aking pamilya, ang pagtulong sa mga OFWs, ang pagbigay ng mas maraming trabaho at sapat na kita at siyempre, ang ating mura at libreng pabahay para sa lahat,” she said.

The Alyansa ticket also includes former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Sen. Lito Lapid, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and ACT-CIS Rep. and former DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo.