The LP: Stepping up
MANILA, Philippines—The “common candidates” of the Liberal Party-led administration coalition and the rival United Nationalist Alliance believe their principles and track record, not their adoption by either coalition, would be the factors that voters will consider when they go to the polls next year.
Senator Loren Legarda said her re-election rests on what she has done for the country instead of on which political partnership she’s part of or would be part of.
“In the end, the people will judge me based on my track record and what more I can do for the people rather than political affiliations,” Legarda told the Inquirer in a text message.
Legarda made the comment while discussing her meeting on Thursday with President Benigno Aquino.
She said she would let Aquino “do the honor” of announcing whether she’ll be part of the LP coalition ticket or not.
Asked in a recent news forum if being carried by the two coalitions would confuse voters, Senator Francis Escudero answered in the negative, adding that voters choose their senators not on the basis of his or her membership in a party.
“I don’t think voters choose their candidates based on the party they belong to. The voters always choose on the basis of a candidate’s principles, beliefs or platforms rather than on the party he or she is currently a part of,” said Escudero, who’s also a re-electonist.
Both Legarda and Escudero have been drafted by the UNA as part of its senatorial lineup for the 2013 elections.
They are also expected to be adopted by the LP coalition, whose candidates are expected to be announced by no less than Aquino on Monday.
Also presumed to be a common candidate of both LP and UNA is Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor and one-time presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr.
Both Legarda and Escudero were part of the Poe campaign, backed by UNA stalwarts Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.
Legarda was Poe’s running mate while Escudero was the well-loved actor’s campaign spokesperson.
Vice President Jejomar Binay announced UNA’s adoption of Legarda on Monday and of Escudero on Friday.
Both re-electionists thanked the alliance for their inclusion on its senatorial lineup.
Asked if the UNA’s endorsement affected his decision whether to accept a similar invitation from the LP, Escudero said, “I don’t think so.”
Legarda earlier welcomed UNA’s draft, calling it her home in previous elections with UNA’s leadership core being led by Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.
Legarda first ran for vice president in 2004 under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino as the running mate of actor Fernando Poe, Jr. She then ran for senator in 2007 under the United Oppositon/Genuine Opposition slate.
Binay and Estrada were major movers behind both KNP and UNO.
Legarda, nonetheless, said she remained open to being adopted by Mr. Aquino’s LP coalition.
The administration alliance includes the Nacionalista Party, the National Unity Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition, to which Legarda belongs.
She confirmed having met President Aquino in Malacañang on Thursday. “Let us wait for the President to maje the announcement.”
Asked if it was okay for be included on the LP coalition slate, she answered, “Yes, because my party has a partnership agreement with LP.”
“Everything I do is in consultation with my party, the NPC, and in transparency with UNA, who have me as their guest candidate like Grace and Chiz [Escudero’s nickname],” Legarda added.
Escudero said there was no conflict between the LP coalition backed by President Aquino and the UNA put up by Binay.
“Vice President Binay doesn’t stand, via juxtaposition, opposite President Aquino. In fact, Vice President Binay has expressed several times his support for the agenda of President Aquino,” Escudero said. “One doesn’t have to choose between two individuals who have the same beliefs and are pursuing the same platforms.”