President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for continued unity and collaboration among government officials and agencies as his political party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), officially signed an alliance with Lakas – Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) in the run-up to the May 2025 mid-term elections.

Marcos, PFP’s chairperson, witnessed the signing of the alliance at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Wednesday, along with key officials of both parties, including House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is currently Lakas-CMD chairperson emeritus.

In his message, Marcos emphasized the importance of collective action between the executive and legislative branches of government, especially in crafting and implementing transformative programs and policies.

“We have to position the Philippines in a way that we’ll take advantage of the new economy. And to do that, we have to make some very fundamental and structural policy changes,” he said.

“We cannot do those policy changes without the support of the legislation. Legislative support, for any policy, is an absolute necessary. That’s what I talk about when I talk about the all-of-government approach.”

The President also said that unity would remain the government’s battle cry as he noted the people’s increased support and participation in the task of nation-building.

“Hindi ito simula kundi pagpapatuloy ng ating pangako sa taumbayan (This is not the start but the continuation of our promise to the people),” he said, noting that upon their election, they promised to be of service and improve the lives of every Filipino.

“At sa aking palagay (And in my opinion), the unity that we have demonstrated and manifested over the last two years, and even before the campaign and during the elections, has borne fruit.”

Lakas-CMD is a prominent fixture in the local political scene, having produced two presidents – Arroyo and Fidel Ramos.

With 100 members, Lakas-CMD is also the biggest party in the House of Representatives.

The two parties were part of the UniTeam Coalition in the 2022 elections, along with Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and the political party of Vice President Sara Duterte, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Marcos and Duterte ran and won convincingly in the 2022 presidential polls under the UniTeam banner.

The President, during the oathtaking of new PFP members last week, said the party is already in talks with several political parties to form alliances to push his administration’s agenda of economic development and people’s welfare. (PNA)