Grace Poe, Nancy Binay open to uniting with Makabayan bets

Senators Nancy Binay (left) and Grace Poe (Inquirer file photos)

MANILA, Philippines — Two re-electionist senators endorsed by the Makabayan Coalition — Nancy Binay and Grace Poe — said on Sunday that they were open to uniting with the other candidates in the slate to make laws that would benefit the people.

In separate statements, Binay and Poe said they shared the same goals with the other candidates in the Makabayan Coalition slate.

“I believe that the Senate should be free, independent and should act in the best interest of the people,” Binay said. “Maganda po ang inisyatibo ng Makabayan na pagsamahin po ang siyam na indibidwal na mula sa iba’t ibang partido.”

[The initiative of Makabayan to get together nine individuals from different parties is a good idea.]

“Our open-mindedness in cooperating with truly patriotic individuals only shows that helping the country has no political color,” she added.

For her part, Poe noted how Makabayan had supported the presidential bid of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., in 2004 and her own candidacy in 2013 and then in 2016.

“We have shared goals with Makabayan bloc for the people, and we offer our commitment to pursue legislation built on our unity and cooperation for the benefit of the people,” she said.

Neither the administration nor the opposition had supported Binay and Poe.

Binay is running under the banner of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), while Poe is seeking reelection as an independent candidate in the May 2019 midterm elections.

READ: Makabayan endorses 9 poll bets for ‘independent’ Senate

Besides the two senators, the Makabayan bloc is also endorsing former Rep. Neri Colmenares; re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino, opposition bets Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, and Erin Tañada; and former Sen. Serge Osmeña III. /atm