UNA to finalize senatorial slate next week

San Juan Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is scheduled to finalize its senatorial slate next week, hoping to fill the spot left by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said on Friday.

He said that although they have yet to decide on a schedule, those running under UNA will file their certificates of candidacy together by October 1.

“We will meet this Monday at Vice President Jejomar Binay’s office and we’ll know by then the schedule for proclamation and filing of COCs,” he told reporters in an interview.

Ejercito said those already in their slate are Senator Gregorio Honasan, Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, Zambales Representative Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Richard Gordon, Ernesto Maceda, and guest candidates Grace Poe-Llamanzares and Senator Francis Escudero.

The San Juan lawmaker expressed hopes that the elections will be “a fair fight but I’m sure there will be mudslinging.”

“But I’m still hopeful no one will resort to dirty politics. We are not really the opposition, we are supporters of the President but not members of the ruling party. We are an alternative to administration candidates,” Ejercito said.

“We hope voters will judge us based on our track record and performance,” he added.