MANILA, Philippines — They may have political differences but it never became a “stumbling block” for seven senators, who are seeking another term in May.
On Wednesday, six of seven senators seeking reelection in May 2019 gathered together in a “unity” rally organized by Senator Grace Poe.
Aside from Poe, other re-electionist senators are Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Koko Pimentel, and Bam Aquino. All but Aquino attended the event held in Tondo, Manila.
Binay said the rally only proves that “unity is never equated to the heterogeneity of the Senate.”
While party affiliations are a “political reality,” she said, it has never become a hindrance for them to push for a common legislative agenda.
“Sa anim na taon kaming magkakasama sa Senado, mas naging matibay ang aming pondasyon pagdating sa pagsulong ng mga batas na kailangang ng kolektibong aksyon,” she said in a statement.
Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
“Our political differences never became a stumbling block, in fact, our common denominator is our commitment to be the voice of ordinary Filipinos in the Senate,” Binay added.
She said sharing the stage with fellow re-electionist senators was a “testament of unity in diversity in the Senate.”
“Ito yung magandang ipinapakita ng grupo naming mga re-electionist na ang Senado ay hindi isang institusyon na nagkakatawan sa pampolitikal na interes ng bawat miyembro nito. Sa katunayan, ang bawat sektoral na isyu ay binibigyan namin ng boses para sa pambansang interes,” Binay noted.
Another notable with their group, she said, is their rapport despite their differences in opinion.
“From an institutional perspective, we find an acceptable balance between unity and diversity, instead of dwelling on irreconcilable principles,” added Binay.
Poe is an independent candidate, Binay is running under the United Nationalist Alliance, Villar belongs to Nacionalista Party, Ejercito is with Nationalist People’s Coalition, Angara and Pimentel are presidents of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and PDP-Laban, respectively, while Aquino is part of opposition Liberal Party. /je