UNA makes presence felt in provinces

CANDABA, Pampanga, Philippines—The United Nationalist Alliance has begun making its presence felt in the provinces, beginning with Pampanga, where President Beniogno Aquino won in the 2010 elections.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and several prospective candidates in the UNA senatorial slate came here on Saturday for the launch of a local political party.

But Binay said he attended the launch of Anac ning Candaba (ANC) because its founder, Mayor Jerry Pelayo, a staunch ally of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is his “personal friend.”

He said the visit should not be seen as a form of early campaigning.

“We have not yet declared [UNA with the Commission on Elections],” Binay told the Inquirer.

He was welcomed here by Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice Governor Joseller Guiao and at least 10 Pampanga mayors.

Zambales Representative Milagros Magsaysay, another Arroyo ally, arrived ahead of Binay and confirmed she was running for senator under UNA.

Arroyo, who represents the second district of Pampanga in the House of Representatives, is detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City for an election sabotage case.

Former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, another prospective candidate on UNA’s senatorial ticket, joined Binay and Magsaysay later.

Gabriel Claudio, a former political adviser of Arroyo, came to the occasion but was not seen talking with Binay.

Pelayo said ANC, as a local political party, is bringing a “politics of hope” to the town known for its bird conservation and agricultural production. His 30-year-old son, Patrick, is leading the ANC youth bloc.

In the launch, Binay hailed the formation of ANC, saying local political parties are good for pushing the agenda of communities.

Local officials speaking in the launch promised to support Binay’s bid to become the country’s next president in 2016.