Partido Federal told to fast-track Senate slate for 2025

THE RULING Partido Federal ng Pilipinas should work double time in fielding its 12-candidate Senate slate for the 2025 midterm elections, party Vice Chairman and presidential son Sandro A. Marcos said in a statement on Monday.

The Ilocos representative cited the need to complete the roster of senatorial candidates who share the ideals of the government of his father, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Partido Federal issued the statement after a meeting at the presidential palace.

“We have to work double time,” he said at the party’s national directorate meeting on Jan. 12. “Let’s take it all upon ourselves to take the initiative... We need to make our presence felt.”

Partido Federal President and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr. “accepted the presidential son’s challenge and vowed to strengthen the party and form a strong slate,” according to the statement.

Mr. Tamayo, who is also the chairman of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, said 23 of the country’s provincial governors have joined the ruling party, which he said has established a presence in 60% of villages nationwide.

The party was formed by supporters of ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose push for a federal type of government failed in the past.

President Marcos last month said his government was beginning to study Charter change (“Cha-cha”) proposals “because we keep talking about economic provisions that are getting in the way with some of the potential investors that we are trying to bring to the Philippines.”

On Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said the President had asked senators to lead the constitutional review.

Mr. Marcos, 66, has veered away from key policies of his predecessor, including standing up to China and pursuing closer defense ties with the US and other western allies.

“Now, more than ever, Partido Federal needs to prove that it is and will always be an invaluable extension of the Marcos administration as it builds a culture of unity, peace and prosperity towards an inclusive and sustainable Bagong Pilipinas,” Mr. Tamayo told his party-mates.

He also announced the party’s roadmap for “a more effective membership-building” as well as efforts to expand its base through “grassroots mass orientation” and recruitment of local officials and lawmakers.