UNA bares first 5 senatorial candidates

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) bared yesterday its first five senatorial candidates for the 2013 elections.

The list did not include former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, nemesis of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.

Zubiri is a member of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada, while Pimentel is president of PDP-Laban of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The two parties have entered into a coalition to create UNA.

UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco said the first five UNA senatorial candidates include Pimentel, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito of PMP, son of former presiden Estrada; Joey de Venecia of PDP Laban, son of former speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr.; Sen. Gregorio Honasan and Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Nine slots remain, but Tiangco said UNA has more than nine names under consideration.

“The final list will be released officially by the UNA secretariat,” he said.

“Lists or names mentioned by personalities outside the UNA secretariat are only speculative.”

UNA’s revelation of its initial five senatorial candidates brushed aside reports that Pimentel is transferring to the pro-administration Liberal Party.

Pimentel has strongly opposed the inclusion of Zubiri in the UNA lineup.

Estrada said it would be difficult for Pimentel to transfer to another party because he is the president of PDP-Laban.

 “With Pimentel in UNA, it will make our alliance stronger,” he said.

Estrada said UNA’s executive committee, comprised of Binay and Enrile, will have to decide on who will be UNA’s 12 senatorial bets for 2013.

Pimentel and Zubiri traded charges after the 2007 senatorial elections, which was marred with massive election cheating.

Zubiri resigned from the Senate, but claimed that he was not a party to the election cheating in 2007.

His resignation allowed Pimentel to take his seat.