UNA not aligning with other parties for now — Mayor Abby Binay

Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay on Wednesday said she will seek reelection during the 2019 midterm elections under the political party of his father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay.

However, she did not close doors on a possible coalition between their United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and other local and national parties.

“I’m running for re-election, as far as UNA is concerned, I have spoken to my dad that […] as of today, we are not going to align with any party,” Binay said during a forum at Malate, Manila, answering questions whether UNA will form an alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

“Historically if you look at my dad, he is always not aligned (with ruling parties),” she added.

She stated that joining a coalition is also not in her plan, noting how she stayed with PDP-Laban a decade ago even if they were the minority.

The local executive also said they are consolidating the remnants of UNA — after several have jump-shipped with the administration’s party.

“When we were in PDP-Laban, in fact in 2007, dalawa lang kaming PDP-Laban sa Congress noon. We kind of like it that way,” Binay noted, referring to her and former Rep. Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin.

“Currently, nag-iinventory po kami ng mga members […] I think if you ask (Presidential Spokesperson) Harry Roque he will say he is still (with) UNA,” she claimed. “But as far as we’re concerned, I’m still UNA, my husband (Rep. Luis Campos) is still UNA, my sister (Sen. Nancy Binay) is still UNA.”   /vvp