UNA ignores Pimentel, includes Zubiri in Senate lineup

Juan Miguel Zubiri and Aquilino Pimentel III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

It’s final.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has decided to include resigned Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri in its Senate ticket for the 2013 midterm elections despite the strong objection of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

In a news conference held at the Office of the Vice President at the CCP Complex in Pasay City, UNA  spokesperson JV Bautista formally announced the inclusion of Zubiri in the coalition’s senatorial lineup in next May’s elections, along with Zambales Representative Milagros Magsaysay and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“More names will be announced later,” Bautista told reporters.

UNA is the recently  formed political alliance between Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

UNA had earlier named Senators Pimentel and Gregorio Honasan, Joey de Venecia, Representative Jack Enrile and Representative JV Ejercito as senatorial bets.

Bautista said that upon Estrada’s endorsement, “the alliance has decided to accept Migz Zubiri’s inclusion in its senatorial ticket.”

“Pimentel  is still No. 1 in the UNA senatorial slate. He remains president of PDP-Laban and a partner in the coalition,” said Bautista.

Pimentel, who filed an electoral protest against Zubiri  after the latter edged him out of 12th place in the 2007 election, had demanded that Zubiri not be included in the UNA senatorial lineup.

Pimentel had threatened to leave UNA if Zubiri was in its senatorial ticket.

But somebody close to Binay told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday that Pimentel had made up his mind.

“He has left the coalition…he’s joining the Liberal Party,” said the source who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

UNA had invited Pimentel to its core executive committee meeting on Monday at the OVP, but he did not show up.

“There’s no communication from him yet…not a word,” said Bautista.

Repeated attempts to contract Pimentel until early Monday evening proved futile.

However, an UNA insider said the senator had “threatened” to leave the coalition after the decision to include Zubiri was reached.

Pimentel had discussed the possibility of dissolving UNA  in order to avoid having to run with Zubiri.

“From what I heard it was not yet final because he told those present at a meeting of UNA officers that he would first consult his family and supporters about his plan,” the insider told the Inquirer in a phone interview.

According to Bautista, they “don’t want to speculate on what we’ll do if (Pimentel) decides to leave the coalition. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there…The rest is up to Senator Pimentel. UNA will not make a decision for him.”

Bautista called on Pimentel to exercise better judgment and stay with UNA. “Perhaps, he can learn a lesson or two on forgiveness from former President Estrada, who’s known for his durability. In fact, he’ll probably be the next mayor of Manila.”

Pimentel also has yet to reply to Estrada’s invitation to a “one-on-one meeting” at the latter’s  San Juan City residence to thresh out party matters. “Up to now, (Estrada) is waiting for his reply,” said Bautista.  With a report from Cathy Yamsuan