THE ADMINISTRATION-BACKED powerhouse Senate slate, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, vowed to address Mindanao’s underdevelopment by pushing for strategic reforms, improved infrastructure delivery, and a more responsible and prudent use of public funds.
The Alyansa ticket is composed of former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
Despite receiving substantial national budget allocations over the years—including funding for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—it continues to face high poverty rates and inadequate access to essential services.
Alyansa is calling for a recalibration of policies to ensure that resources directly benefit communities on the ground. The coalition cited the urgency of updating laws like the Local Government Code of 1991 and improving coordination between national agencies and local government units.
Administration bets underscored the need for national government intervention in key infrastructure and public service gaps, especially in less developed provinces that lack the financial muscle to carry projects on their own.
Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa’s campaign manager, stressed that the core problem isn’t budget allocation but impact.
“Billions of pesos have been poured into Mindanao for years, yet large parts of the region remain stuck in poverty. Where’s the change? The real question isn’t how much we spend; it’s what the people are getting in return,” Tiangco said.
He added: “We don’t need more press releases. We need results—roads, hospitals, schools, jobs. Good governance is not just about allocating funds; it’s about transforming lives. That’s what Alyansa is fighting for.”
Tiangco said the Alyansa slate will focus on ensuring that every peso from the national budget is not just accounted for but also felt by the people it is meant to serve.
