Sen. Nancy Binay is new UNA president

Senator Nancy Binay. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

Senator Nancy Binay has been named as the new president of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) political party.

The selection of the new president was made during the UNA national leaders’ conference held in Makati last September 12, a party statement said on Thursday.

The conference, UNA said, was attended by almost 200 party leaders nationwide.

Lawyer JV Bautista, secretary general of UNA, said  the party leadership unanimously selected the senator “because her advocacies and programs go well with UNA’s vision of uplifting the lives of the marginalized..”

“We believe Senator Nancy’s advocacies and her unique brand of service will help unite members as we consolidate and forge alliances for the upcoming local and national elections,” Bautista said in the same statement.

UNA is currently being chaired by the senator’s father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The party national leadership is now composed of the following:

• Former Vice President Jejomar C. Binay – Party Chairman

• Senator Nancy Binay – Party President

• Senator Gregorio Honasan – Party Vice President

• Atty. JV Bautista – Secretary General

• Former Secretary Gary Teves – National Treasurer

In accepting her new post, Sen. Binay vowed to continue UNA’s “legacy of service.”

“Sa araw na ito, bilang bagong pangulo ng partido, buong puso kong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na pagbabago,” the statement quoted her saying.

“Sa ating pagpupulong na ito, at pagbabalik-tanaw, nawa’y hindi kumupas ang alab nating maghain ng mga programang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.

In her speech, the senator also  reminded her partymates of UNA’s program of government, which include “social inclusion/improvement of basic services,” “economic dynamism,” and “effective and caring governance.”

“Ito rin po siguro ang gusto kong patuloy na maging direksyon ng ating partido – na makilala ang UNA bilang partidong kumakalinga at nagbibigay serbisyo sa bawat Pilipino,” she  said.

“We need to learn from our moments of doubt and make sure that the vision and platform of UNA shall remain relevant to the people,” Sen. Binay added.

She also urged her partymates to become instruments of “real change” in our society by advancing UNA’s core agenda of competence and service.

“As we undergo changes and reforms in this administration, our unity is now more important than ever. I, therefore, ask your continued support as we create practical solutions to address the root cause of our nation’s problems,” Binay said. /jpv