Binay says UNA Senate slate complete

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER.net PHOTO

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday said his United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party had completed its 12-member senatorial ticket.

“We are complete, very much complete,” Binay told reporters as he visited Tondo, Manila.

“We will announce [the names] soon,” he said.

Asked what was taking it so long, Binay replied, “We are still looking for the right moment.”

Among those who filed certificates of candidacy under UNA are boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former chief of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) Getulio Napeñas, actress Alma Moreno and Sulu Princess Jacel Kiram.

“[Pacquiao] is a true friend,” Binay said. “He has been with me since the beginning even during the 2010 elections. He will surely win.”

Binay described Napeñas as a Filipino fighter.

“He risked his own life. You cannot belittle what happened to him,” Binay said.

Napeñas was sacked after a covert SAF operation to take down two terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, in January backfired, with 44 police commandos killed in a daylong clash with Moro rebels.