Marcos witnesses oath taking of new PFP members

MANILA, Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday witnessed the oath taking of the new members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the party that carried him in the race for the presidency last year.

In a photo release sent to The Manila Times, it showed PFP President Reynaldo Tamayo Jr administering the oath in Malacanang as Marcos watched.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) did not provide further details as the President was the only one invited by the party to lead the event.

Formed in 2018, the PFP was one of the members of the UniTeam Alliance of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Other members of the alliance were Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Partido ng Masang Pilipino and some guest candidates from other parties.

Speaking before the party's officials and members in Malacañang last August, Marcos called on his political allies to strengthen the PFP by forging alliances with other political parties and seeking support at the barangay level.

He said the PFP is preparing for all political cycles, including the barangay elections, which are expected to have a «big impact» on how the 2025 midterm polls would turn out.

«We need the support at the barangay level. So, that is why it was incumbent upon us to now immediately try and organize ourselves so that we are prepared because there is always a synergy,» Marcos has said.

«We are trying to align the political forces...that are like-minded… And to that end, I think it is an opportune time to be able to say that after this, we are going to continue to talk to other political parties and come to an agreement with them so we can strengthen our group. Even if we belong to different parties, we can still help each other,» he added.