Arroyo allies, 32 congressmen, 18 governors, back Aquino

A new political party made up of allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has pledged its “total support and commitment” to President Benigno Aquino III’s reform agenda.

In a phone interview, the National Unity Party’s (NUP) president, Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, said: “We would like to be positive in terms of our approach as far as our activities are concerned. We want to be constructive in our cooperation.”

The NUP’s declaration of support comes on the heels of Arroyo’s criticism of Mr. Aquino’s “nobody home” leadership and warnings of “danger signs” on the frailty of the economic gains.

The NUP currently counts 32 members of the House of Representatives and 18 governors on its roster but Antonino expects the figure to rise to 40 and 30, respectively.

Members of Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats and other parties are expected to sign up with NUP by July 25, when the President delivers his annual State of the Nation Address in Congress.

“We may have been aligned with the previous administration, but we believe our cooperation in this administration is critical to achieving its goals of economic and social development,” said Antonino.

Unlike their previous party mates who had belittled the President’s accomplishment, Antonino said it was too early to assess his performance.

“You can only initiate reforms in pieces rather than one full sweep. Let us be patient and we believe he can deliver,” said Antonino.

Majority coalition

The NUP was formed early this year mostly by former Lakas-Kampi members who wanted to disassociate themselves from their previous patron, Arroyo, who is now a representative of Pampanga.

They joined the majority coalition of Mr. Aquino’s Liberal Party in the Lower House.

NUP members have been rewarded with key positions in the House, such as Antonino and Palawan Representative Antonio Alvarez (member of the Commission on Appointments), Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga (chair, committee on suffrage and electoral reforms), and Cebu Representative Pablo Garcia (deputy speaker).

Its member-governors are Enrique Garcia Jr. (Bataan), Adolph Edward Plaza (Agusan del Sur), Gwendolyn Garcia (Cebu) and Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan).

NUP representatives

A check of the NUP website showed the following to be the party members currently in the House of Representatives:

Cajayon, Mary Mitzi (Caloocan, 2nd District); Bonoan-David, Ma. Theresa B. (Manila, 4th District); Romulo, Roman T. (Pasig City, Lone District); Agyao, Manuel S. (Kalinga, Lone District); Ting, Randolph S. (Cagayan, 3rd District); Cua, Dakila Carlo E. (Quirino, Lone District); Garcia, Albert Raymond S. (Bataan, 2nd District); Antonino, Rodolfo W. (Nueva Ecija, 4th District); Sy-Alvarado, Ma. Victoria R. (Bulacan, 1st District); Barzaga, Elpidio Jr. F. (Cavite, 2nd District); Ferrer, Antonio A. (Cavite, 6th District); Puno, Roberto V. (Antipolo City, 1st District); Velasco, Lord Allan Jay Q. (Marinduque, Lone District); Alvarez, Antonio C. (Palawan, 1st District); Unico, Renato Jr. J. (Camarines Norte, 1st District); Bravo, Narciso Jr. R. (Masbate, 1st District); Castro, Jane T. (Capiz, 2nd District); Garcia, Pablo P. (Cebu, 2nd District); Salimbangon, Benhur L. (Cebu, 4th District); Quisumbing, Gabriel R. (Cebu, 6th District); Ong, Emil L. (Northern Samar, 2nd District); Mercado, Roger G. (Southern Leyte, Lone District); Almonte, Jorge T. (Misamis Occidental, 1st District); Lagdameo, Antonio Jr. F. (Davao del Norte, 2nd District); Nograles, Karlo Alexei B. (Davao City, 1st District); Catamco, Nancy A. (North Cotabato, 2nd District); Go, Arnulfo F. (Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District); Sakaluran, Raden C. (Sultan Kudarat, 1st District); Plaza, Ma. Valentina G. (Agusan del Sur, 1st District); Plaza-Mellana, Evelyn P. (Agusan del Sur, 2nd District); and Loong, Tupay T. (Sulu, 1st District)