'Alyansa' bets head to Marcos bailiwick Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — The administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate will hold a grand rally in Tacloban City, Leyte, on March 14, Friday.

This is the ninth stop for the senatorial ticket, which seeks to consolidate support in key regions ahead of the May 2025 midterm elections.

With 1.4 million registered voters, Leyte has long been a political stronghold for the family of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

If the Ilocos Region is considered the bailiwick of the Marcoses in the north, Leyte is touted as their turf in the Visayas.

In the 2022 national elections, Marcos secured 641,065 votes in the province, a decisive lead over his closest rival, who received only 99,207 votes. 

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa’s campaign manager, expressed confidence that Leyteños would once again deliver strong support for the administration’s Senate slate.

“Leyte has always stood with President Marcos and his vision for a stronger Philippines. We believe the Leyteños will continue to support leaders who will work with the administration in delivering real progress,” Tiangco said.

The ticket is composed of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Imee Marcos, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Francis Tolentino, ACT-CIS Rep. and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

Leyte holds deep political significance for the Marcos family. It is the home province of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who once served as representative of Leyte’s first congressional district. 

Tacloban City, in particular, has remained a reliable base of support for the administration, consistently delivering large majorities for President Marcos in past elections.