UNA names Nancy Binay as 12th senatorial candidate

Nancy Binay filed her certificate of candidacy at the Comelec accompanied by her father Vice President Jejomar Binay and other candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance. MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has named Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, as its 12th senatorial candidate for the 2013 polls.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA Secretary general, confirmed this in a statement Thursday.

UNA is the new coalition formed between Binay’s PDP-Laban and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

In his statement, Tiangco cited Binay’s high performance ratings in surveys, and noted the “groundswell of support” from sectoral groups and non-governmental organizations nationwide.

“We cannot ignore these voices and their commitment to help Nancy and the entire senatorial slate of UNA,” Tiangco said.

Tiangco said UNA was certain that the young Binay would bring to the Senate the “Binay brand of outstanding public service as exemplified by the social programs initiated by her father.

“With her father working tirelessly in the executive department, we can now be assured that there will be additional legislative support in Congress that will bring the social benefits currently being enjoyed by the citizens of Makati to all Filipinos,” he added.

Tiangco noted that Vice President Binay had initially opposed his daughter’s candidacy, but that he changed his mind when former President Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile voted for her to run.

With Nancy Binay entering the coalition, the three UNA leaders – Binay, Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile – would have their children running for senator in the 2013 polls.

Representatives Jackie Ponce Enrile and JV Ejercito are also running under UNA.

Among those in UNA’s senatorial slate are Sen. Greogrio Honasan, Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, former senators Ernesto Maceda, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon, and former Tarlac Governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco.

Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda, and MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe Llamanzares are guest candidates of the coalition.
In a text message, UNA spokesperson JV Bautista said Binay would be filing her candidacy at the main office of the Comelec in Intramuros Friday at 3 p.m.

Binay replaced Joey de Venecia III, who withdrew his candidacy at the last minute, citing business reasons.

UNA had been choosing between Binay, a neophyte in politics, and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn to take the slot vacated Monday by De Venecia.

Hagedorn filed his certificate of candidacy as an independent on Wednesday.  Binay’s daughter had never sought an elective post unlike her siblings.

De Venecia said he would stick with his business ventures in the business process outsourcing and technology industries as he could contribute more in the private sector than in an elected position at this time.

The son of former House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. however remains a member of PDP-Laban. With reports from Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net and Tarra Quismundo, Philippine Daily Inquirer