Marcos Jr’s Partido Federal unites with Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines —  The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) led by President Marcos formalized its alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) yesterday, marking the revival of a UniTeam alliance for the 2025 midterm elections.

Marcos witnessed the signing of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” between the PFP and Lakas-CMD at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

Also present at the gathering were Lakas-CMD president emeritus and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lakas-CMD president Speaker Martin Romualdez and chairman Sen. Bong Revilla.

In his speech, Marcos underscored the importance of unity in attaining a new and progressive Philippines.

“Let’s reconstitute and let’s formalize the UniTeam again so that when we face our future, we will know that we are working together, we are shoulder to shoulder in our goal to make the Philippines better, to make the life of every Filipino better,” Marcos said in Filipino.

He said it is also crucial for the executive and legislative departments to work together in executing policy changes to best serve the people.

“Legislative support for any policy is absolutely necessary,” Marcos said.

PFP and Lakas-CMD were part of the UniTeam alliance that supported Marcos and his then running mate Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte in the 2022 general elections.

Marcos said he was encouraged by the overwhelming support of Filipinos during the 2022 presidential elections under the UniTeam with Duterte, at the time Davao City mayor.

Marcos won the 2022 presidential elections with 31 million votes.

“We have seen that the people have accepted our message of unity,” the President said.

Asked whether the new UniTeam would include Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), Romualdez said, “It’s still open for discussion, and of course we will consult with Partido Federal.”

Duterte resigned from Lakas-CMD in May last year. Her resignation came after the House removed Arroyo as senior deputy speaker.

Romualdez was seen accompanying Arroyo as she was greeted by party members at the alliance signing.

In his speech during the oath-taking of new PFP members last week, Marcos called on his partymates to forge alliances and prepare for the 2025 elections while continuing to push for national unity as Filipinos have been reaping its benefits almost two years into his term.

He said Filipinos continue to thirst for unity and “they don’t want bickering anymore because nothing happens when it’s all politicking.”

Marcos earlier said the PFP is also seeking alliance with other key political parties such as Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and the National Unity Party in the House of Representatives, as well as local political parties.

October is the start of filing of the certificates of candidacy for those running in May 2025 polls.

Open to coalition

Speaker Romualdez hinted that an alliance with perceived rival Vice President Duterte may be in the offing.

“Anything is possible,” he told reporters before the signing ceremonies.

Romualdez made the statement in response to queries whether Lakas-CMD is willing to “coalesce” with the concurrent education secretary’s regional party HNP, or the once-powerful PDP-Laban of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Lakas-CMD, along with PFP, is expected to field a 12-member administration slate for the May 2025 senatorial elections. PFP reportedly has 13 members in the House, while Lakas-CMD has so far reached 100 as of Tuesday night, the most powerful bloc in the chamber.

“I cannot announce the senatorial slate yet, but we will announce it at the proper time after proper consultations. The alliance will be fielding a full slate,” the Speaker said. “There are many considerations, but we leave it up to the collective wisdom of the alliance leadership.”  – Delon Porcalla