Estrada, Binay, Enrile lead UNA visit to Laguna

UNA candidates hold a pre-campaign sortie in Laguna Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. From right are Sen. Gregorio Honasan, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Ernesto Maceda, among others. KAREN BONCOCAN/INQUIRER.net

CALAUAN, Laguna — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) continued its pre-campaign sorties Thursday as candidates of the coalition paid a visit to Laguna on Thursday, accompanied by its leaders Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

UNA senatorial bets Nancy Binay, Zambales Representative Milagros Magsaysay, Senator Greogrio Honasan, former senator Ernesto Maceda and former Tarlac Governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco were met by Laguna governor ER Ejercito, Calauan Mayor Felisa Berris and other local officials at past 9:30 a.m. in the town’s municipal gym.

Estrada and the other candidates are expected to arrive later in the day, according to the coalition’s supporters.

Marisol “Sol” Aragones, the coalition’s bet for a congressional seat, was also present.

The campaign period for national candidates is scheduled to start on February 12 and March 29 for local candidates.

But both Binay and Honasan said that they were not here to campaign but to introduce their coalition to residents of Laguna.

UNA secretary-general Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said that early campaigning was necessary as they were no match to the Liberal Party’s machinery.

Candidates of the ruling party may benefit from the endorsement of President Benigno Aquino III but former Senator Ernesto Maceda, in a recent press conference, said UNA drew big crowds due to the presence of Binay and Estrada.

Such was the case with their recent visits to Cagayan Valley, Southern Luzon, and Panay, he said.