Nancy Binay seeks help from NPC, NUP for reelection bid

MANILA, Philippines— To further boost her campaign, Senator Nancy Binay has sought the help of two more political groups.

Binay, who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said she approached the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the National Union Party (NUP) to help with her reelection bid.

“Parang may dalawa tayong partido na nilapitan na kung pwedeng tulungan tayo sa kampanya. NUP at saka syempre si SP Sotto,”  she said at the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

Binay was referring to Senate Presiden Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, senior council leader of NPC.

“Alam naman natin na sya ang namumuno sa NPC so nilapitan din natin yung NPC para tulungan tayo…” she added.

Binay refused to say if NPC had already committed to help her but she was hopeful that she would be included in the party’s senatorial slate.

So far, the NPC has openly endorsed the senatorial bid of  two party members incumbent Senator JV  Ejercito and returning Senator Lito Lapid, and  an adopted member, Senator Grace Poe.

Binay said she did not seek the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte and was not also invited to be part of the ruling PDP-Laban or even the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Asked if she received an invitation to join either the PDP or HNP slate, Binay said: “During the time nong nagbubuo sila ng slate? Wala.”

“Kasi parang naghihintay din ako na may pasabi e wala. Unlike NPC and NUP, may mga nag go-between, may tumulong na mag facilitate.”

She said she did not  ask for the President’s endorsement because she  does not want to impose herself and put the President in an awkward position.

“Sa akin parang nakakahiya naman na manghimasok kasi I think kung gusto ka ng Presidente on his own magkukusa at ipapatawag ka,” Binay said.

But had the PDP or HNP invited her to be part of their respective slates, she said she would still think about it, citing their differences on certain issues.

Binay cited, for instance, PDP’s s condition that its senatorial bets must support the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

The senator said she is not completely convinced yet on the concept of  federalism.  /muf