Binay is open to LP, UNA coalition

Vice President Jejomar Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Though it was his first time to hear about the proposed “super coalition” between the Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Vice President Jejomar Binay said that he welcomes such suggestion.

“Of course, we’re open to that anytime. It would be a political suicide if we don’t entertain that option. We might be accused of having a monopoly,” Binay said in an interview with reporters after his meeting with Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, head of the United States’ Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Monday that San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has raised the possibility of forming a “super senatorial slate” between LP and UNA.

The report quoted Ejercito as saying that this was “ideal since there is no clear-cut line between the opposition and the administration unlike during Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s time in 2007.” Ejercito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada who formed UNA with Vice President Binay.

When asked whether talks between LP and UNA about the merger are taking place, Binay said he had no idea, but there might be backdoor negotiations being conducted by his colleagues.

Binay maintained that there would be no conflict between LP and UNA if the coalition would materialize, explaining that UNA is not an opposition party out to ruin rivals but an alliance that would offer constructive criticisms to bolster the “tuwid na daan (straight path)” theme of the administration.