Binay party eyeing alliance with Arroyo group

Video by Noy Morcoso

Vice President Jejomar Binay confirmed Wednesday that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is eyeing a possible coalition with the Lakas Party for the 2016 elections.

Asked by reporters about a possible alliance in 2016, Binay confirmed that they were in talks with Lakas leaders.

“Pinag-uusapan. Totoo yun,” (There are talks. That’s true) Binay told reporters during the National Housing Summit in Valenzuela.

The Vice President dismissed claims that a coalition with Lakas, the political party of former-President and now-Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, would be a “kiss of death.”

Arroyo is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City for charges of graft, plunder and electoral sabotage.

READ: After losing bid to dismiss PCSO plunder case, Arroyo seeks house arres

Like Arroyo, Binay is also being hounded with accusations of plunder and graft.

READ: Binay faces new plunder rap, ouster from Cabinet possibly next – Trillanes

Binay said every vote would be important in the coming elections.

“Ang isang boto, e dagdag sa boto,” (Every vote is an added vote) he said.

Asked about his possible running mate, he said UNA had a search committee for his possible vice president in 2016.

According to him, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is “very qualified” since he is a successful local executive.

“I always say that the best training for a higher executive position is training at the local executive (level),” he said.