UNA readies Binay’s political ad for TV

MANILA, Philippines—Three political advertisements are underway to bolster the chances of Vice President Jejomar Binay to win the presidency despite corruption charges.

This was confirmed by United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.

“Definitely, we have prepared the ads. I was one of those who viewed and approved its final version,” Tiangco told reporters.

UNA interim president Toby Tiangco. SENATE POOL FILE PHOTO

Tiangco said that the ads will be paid by private sponsors and will not come from public coffers.

“When we get the funding for it, it’s ready for airing. The task now is to look for funding. As soon as we have the funds, we will air the ads,” Tiangco said.

Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice felt vindicated as Tiangco practically confirmed what the Liberal Party member touted as “Oplan Maligno.”

Under the plan, Erice said UNA wanted to divert the public’s attention from the alleged corruption in Makati that implicated the Vice President by paying for political advertisements, while at the same time criticizing the administration’s efforts in railway breakdowns, power, among others.

“Maligno” is Filipino for evil spirit. Binay’s camp protested when ABS-CBN’s Korina Sanchez, the wife of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, used the term to refer to the Vice President in August 2012.

“Ang importante, the operation plan is true…Halloween delight nila ‘yun,” Erice said.

UNA’s camp had accused the Liberal Party of devising “Oplan Nognog”  supposedly to derail Binay’s presidential bid in 2016.

Binay’s party had said the Senate probe into the alleged overpricing of the Makati parking building during the term of Binay was part of “Oplan Nognog.”

Erice denied that LP is behind Oplan Nognog.

He said that the party would not make a reference to a “lovable” comic character whose skin is charcoal black to make Binay a pitiful presidential candidate in 2016.

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