No more split campaign sorties for UNA, says Nancy Binay

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Head,Vice president Jojemar Binay (3rd from left front row) One Cebu Party chairman 3rd district congressional candidate, suspended governor Gwen Garcia (3rd from right) and Team Rama head Cebu City mayor Michael Rama (2nd from left) join UNA seantorial candidates (from L-R front row) San Juan Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada,former senator Miguel Zubiri; Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and Nancy Binay, daugther of the vice president (L-R 2nd row) senator Gringo Honasan; Zambales Rep Mitos Magsaysay; Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco; Cagayan 1st District Representative Jack Enrile and former senator Ernesto Maceda after attending the mass at cebu Metropolitan Cathedral before the motorcade and the proclamation rally. CDN FILE PHOTO

SAN PABLO CITY, Philippines — The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will no longer split into three groups in carrying out its campaign activities as being united was what set them apart from other political groups, according to senatorial candidate Nancy Binay.

“It’s better that we are seen together. It is what sets us apart from the others,” she told reporters in an interview at the sidelines of their sortie in San Pablo City on Monday.

The opposition has earlier contemplated splitting into three groups in order to cover more areas during the campaign period.

“We will no longer be divided into three groups. We might split into two groups for the motorcades and then converge for big rallies,” she said, adding that they also did not want to cause problems in media coverage.

Having three small groups go around provinces for motorcades would make it “difficult for the media to cover,” she added.

But she said they were not stopping any UNA candidate from going on a separate appointment if it was necessary.

The nine senatorial candidates have yet to show up in full force here in San Pablo City for the local bets’ proclamation rally.

Binay said that so far she has only seen Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay and former senators Ernesto Maceda and Dick Gordon.

“I’m not sure if Jack Enrile will be here. He was injured before Holy Week,” she said.

The opposition was still waiting for word whether San Juan Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada and resigned senator Juan Miguel Zubiri will be able to catch up Monday night.

Binay said that the rally was more for the local candidates this time, as their campaign period has just begun.

She said that they were scheduled to move around this week with local candidates from various provinces and areas in Metro Manila but will be back to their usual schedule by the following week.

Being with local candidates meant that they were giving “support both ways” and it was evident in former President Joseph Estrada’s proclamation rally last night how strong local bets were at drawing crowds, said Binay.

“That was the biggest UNA crowd. Some 80,000 to 90,000 persons were there to witness President Erap’s proclamation rally,” said the UNA candidate.

UNA is hopeful that both national and local bets would receive the most votes in Laguna come election day.

“Southern Luzon is a large voting area and Laguna is very important. We expect Laguna residents to vote more for UNA’s senatorial slate as well as its local candidates with the help of (Laguna) Governor ER’s (Jeorge Ejercito),” said Binay.

Ejercito, the nephew of former President Joseph Estrada, is seeking reelection under UNA.