Senator Edgardo Angara. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines—A senator on Tuesday wondered if the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has violated the law when it released its first political advertisement on television less than a month before the start of the official campaign period.
“Hindi ba ang official campaign period is February 12? Hind ba yun unlawful campaigning? Premature campaigning?” said Senator Edgardo Angara when asked bout his reaction to the UNA’s political ad featuring its senatorial bets in May 2013.
Angara’s son, Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, is running under the Liberal Party, which is the Aquino administration’s coalition.
But the senator was quick to clarify that he had nothing against UNA, saying many of them are his friends.
In fact, he himself said that the ad may not be considered premature campaigning if the candidates are not asking the public to vote for them.
“Hindi pa, hindi pa palagay ko,” he said when asked about his opinion on the ad. “Introduction lang naman. Hindi naman sinasabing iboto nyo ako. Parang introduction pa lang.”
The senator also even praised UNA and its leaders for being organized.
“Magaling sila, organized, very organized. Mga veterans ang mag leader. Tatlong hari,” he said, referring to former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.
But Angara was unfazed for his son, confident that the administration has its own plan or strategy.
“Anyway hindi pa naman campaign period, bakit tayo magpa-panic?” he said.
Angara said he would help in the campaign of his son as soon as he finishes his work in the Senate.