Maceda, Gordon join UNA senatorial slate; Pimentel drops PDP Laban presidency

Richard Gordon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former Senators Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon have been included in the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the coalition’s spokesman said Wednesday.

In a phone interview, JV Bautista, UNA spokesperson, said the two senators had been officially named Tuesday night.

UNA is a coalition of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Asked about the formal announcement on Senator Loren Legarda’s inclusion in the slate, Bautista said they would be making a high-profile announcement but that “for all intents and purposes, she is already part of the slate.”

Bautista also said that Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, who made an announcement that he would run as a guest candidate, has taken his leave as president of PDP Laban.

He said Binay, as chairman of PDP Laban, would take over all responsibilities left by Pimentel.

Bautista said that with all the nuances of politics, and with Pimentel running for an opposite party, taking a leave would be the best move.