PBBM's PFP forges alliance with NUP

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) on Saturday inked a formal alliance with the National Unity Party (NUP) with the goal of transforming the Philippines through unity.

During the signing of the alliance at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City, President Marcos said the unification of the two parties is not motivated by "political expediency" or a "marriage of convenience," but rather by a shared ideology of transforming the nation into the "modern, safe, sustainable, growing country that we dream of."

"What is the ideology that we are espousing? We speak now of unity. We speak now of Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), bringing the country, transforming the country to another place, to a better place than we had found it," he said.

"We will only achieve the transformation that we dream about for the Philippines if we are united, if we agree there is consensus among us, and what needs to be done, how we are going to do it, and we all work together," he added.

He noted that although there might be political forces that could impede the achievement of that goal, the "Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas" alliance serves as a mechanism to settle contradictions and differences, and present a united front.

"Of course, there are political forces that get in the way but that is the whole point of these alliances that we are making. That is the whole point because we now formalize and put together a mechanism," he said.

The President said if there are contradictions or differences, there is a method for resolutions "without going to extreme, undertaking extreme measures, like moving away from the party, running as independent, both allies fighting against each other politically."

The President said that more than just supporting each other in the next election, the newly-formed alliance builds a common purpose and consensus of making the Philippines a "better place.”

"We are uniting behind the dream of transforming the Philippines and that dream will be achieved by unity. So, congratulations for joining that ideology, for believing in that ideology. It is the only way that we will make our country the country that the Filipinos deserve," Marcos said.

The event was attended by PFP president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., PFP executive vice president and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., NUP president and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. and NUP chairperson Ronaldo Puno, among others.

Last month, the PFP signed an alliance accord with Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, the biggest party in the House of Representatives with 100 members, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

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

Formed in 2018, the PFP is a national political party chaired by President Marcos. (PNA)