UNA told: Don’t begrudge common bets in LP rallies

Senator Franklin Drilon. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Franklin Drilon called on the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to stop complaining about the common candidates who have so far exclusively shown up in Team PNoy rallies and instead present what it has to offer to the electorate after the May 2013 elections.

“UNA should stop whining and complaining about the failure of its three adopted candidates to attend their rallies,” said Drilon, campaign manager of the administration ticket.

“They should instead present their platform of governance and what they have done to deserve the people’s mandate,” he added.

Drilon made the remarks amid reports that the UNA planned to drop common candidates Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda and former Movie Review Board chair Grace Poe due to their repeated failure to show up in UNA sorties.

All three showed up at the Team PNoy proclamation rally led by no less than President Benigno Aquino III at the Plaza Miranda on Tuesday.

The UNA held its kick-off rally on the same day in Cebu City, where Legarda and Poe sent representatives.

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, Team PNoy spokesperson, challenged UNA leaders to shut up and instead go to the Commission on Elections if they have legitimate complaints.

“Team PNoy will stand or fall on the basis of its anticorruption and antipoverty platform,” Quimbo said.

“Fighting corruption will make more funds available for basic services and vital infrastructure projects that will in turn raise the living standards and reduce the number of poor Filipinos,” he added.