Opposition finalizes lineup

The United Opposition (UNO), now called the "Grand Coalition," finally completed yesterday its 12-man senatorial lineup, which includes independents Senate President Manuel Villar and Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan as adopted candidates.

The other candidates are reelectionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former senators Loren Legarda, Anna Dominique "Nikki" Coseteng and John Osmeña.

House members Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III are also included.

The last three candidates are Sonia Roco, widow of former senator Raul Roco, detained Navy Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV of the Magdalo group and lawyer Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, son of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Mrs. Roco replaced erstwhile senatorial bet San Juan Mayor Jose Victor "JV" Ejercito, son of deposed President Joseph Estrada, who was persuaded by his father to withdraw from the Senate race to strengthen the unity of the political opposition.

Ejercito was instead designated as the coalition’s campaign manager while lawyer Adel Tamano, a professor at the Far Eastern University law school and son of the late Sen. Mamintal Tamano, was appointed as the opposition’s official spokesman.

After the opposition senatorial slate was announced at Club Filipino in San Juan, UNO president and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said the opposition coalition will soon come out with a new name befitting the genuine opposition.

"Hindi naman UNO ang coalition. It’s part of the Grand Coalition now which is composed of a coalition of different people from different political groups," Binay said.

Binay said Villar and Pangilinan were included in the opposition ticket as adopted candidates even though the senators are seeking reelection as independents.

Villar is the current president of the Nacionalista Party while Pangilinan belongs to the Liberal Party.

Villar and Pangilinan had earlier told reporters that they will run as independent candidates.

Pangilinan, however, said that he is open to any group who will support his candidacy.

Binay said the decision of Villar and Pangilinan to run as independent bets will not be a problem for the Grand Coalition.

"They did not say that they will not join the sorties. Pagdating naman sa campaign, yung mga senador naman ay may kanya-kanyang diskarte eh. Some may choose to join, some may not," he said.

"At the end of day, whether you call them (Villar and Pangilinan) guests or adopted, they are part of our slate. They are official candidates of this grand coalition," said Tamano.

Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, who was earlier reported to be joining the opposition slate, was left out.

Binay said the coalition will hold more talks to discuss how the opposition will present its platform of government to the voters.

Opposition leaders met at Club Filipino for more than three hours and later Tamano announced their candidates whom he claimed as the winning senatorial slate for the 2007 polls.

"This a grand coalition of people from all sectors— women, the youth, the political sector and civil society," Tamano said.