Negros party to file protest over use of UNA

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., United Negros Alliance chairman, said they would file a protest before the Commission on Elections if a national coalition uses their party’s acronym.

Former president Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan have formed the United Nationalist Alliance in preparation for the fielding of their senatorial slate in next year’s polls.

“We will file a protest before the Comelec, if they use the acronym UNA. Our lawyers are already preparing it, we have been using it for 12 years already,” Marañon said on Monday.

Asked for his reaction to the recent transfer of Negros Occidental Board Member Patrick Lacson and Silay Vice Mayor Mark Golez from the Lakas-CMD party to the PMP, Marañon said, “That is democracy in action.”

“That is the beauty of Philippine politics you change your party like you change your shirt every day,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, former Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco said the NPC, of which he and Marañon are members, remained in coalition with the Aquino administration in the House of Representatives.

“This carries some weight in local politics. This will be further discussed before next year’s elections,” Cojuangco said.