Gonzales finds LP-UNA ‘super coalition’ awkward

MANILA, Philippines—House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II Tuesday said that he saw the proposed Liberal Party (LP)-United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) “super coalition” as an

Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

awkward merger for the upcoming 2013 midterm elections.

Asked to comment on a possible coalition between the two political parties, the LP member said that he found it awkward that UNA, which already had members eyeing seats in the Senate, would entertain the idea of coalescing with LP.

“There is already advanced talks among LP, NP (Nationalista Party), NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition)–hindi ko alam iyong sa UNA. Nauna sila magsalita but I can’t speak for UNA (I don’t know about UNA, They spoke first but I can’t speak for UNA),” he said.

He said that he found the idea of an LP-UNA team up “awkward–paano yun? When UNA first spoke, puno na sila. How do you strike a balance? Makiki-coalesce pa kahit puno na sila.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay earlier said that UNA was open to the proposed “super coalition” with LP.

Such a coalition was denied by LP secretary general Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, saying that they were already in the process of deciding who would be included in their senatorial slate.

Asked whether they would entertain a coalition with a party that has members of the opposition in its roster, he said that they would never do so since “no real democracy has a coalition between the administration and the opposition.”

“A strong and vibrant opposition is necessary for a healthy democracy,” the LP secretary general said.

Gonzales added that if he were in Binay’s position and “gunning for presidency”, he would rather have his own party.