NACIONALISTA PARTY TO FORGE ALLIANCE WITH MARCOS' PFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Nacionalista Party (NP) will forge an alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. heads. In a press conference on Tuesday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a stalwart of the NP, said that the NP was "in the process of firming up" the alliance.

Barbers said in mixed Filipino and English that "we would like to align with them in order that we can show... the support of the party for all the programs of our President in changing and developing the Philippines."

The lawmaker said that the signing of the alliance might happen before the end of July.

"I think the party or the alliance will probably come up with their own list before the scheduled October filing [of certificates of candidacy]", Barbers said when asked on possible senatorial bets.

Sen. Imee Marcos had expressed uncertainty on whether she will be included in the administration's Senate slate, saying she thinks there will be 50 candidates.

Asked about this, Barbers said in mixed Filipino and English that "she belongs to [NP] so if we're firming up alliances with the PFP, I am pretty sure... that she is included in the slate".

The PFP has forged an alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), and the National Unity Party (NUP).

The country will hold midterm elections in May 2025.

Marcos' father and namesake was with the NP.