MANILA, Philippines - Opposition bloc United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay will still woo several local and national parties, including former President Joseph 'Erap' Estrada's Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) to strengthen its position in the 2016 polls, an official said on Wednesday.
In an interview with reporters at the Sitio Fernandina media forum in Greenhills, San Juan City, UNA Secretary General JV Bautista admitted that the party would have to rely on the political influence which Estrada still wields.
"S'yempre we should try to make up for it pero mahirap kung wala si Erap. Mahihirapan kami kung wala si Erap. He's really one of the pillars. Let's face it, Erap is a big voice in the opposition. At any point in time, hindi naman s'ya sumama sa administration. Ang sabi nga n'ya ang susuportahan n'ya sa 2016 ay 'yung... maglilingkod sa masa at kasama sa oposisyon," Bautista said.
He said that the only thing holding back Estrada from giving his unconditional support for Binay, UNA's standard bearer in 2016, is Sen. Grace Poe.
"Nahihirapan s'ya kasi kapag tumakbo daw si Grace Poe... ang lumalabas dito nga eh 'yung Grace Poe becomes the "Joker" in all of these," Bautista said.
He, however, said UNA is confident in getting Estrada's endorsement eventually.
"Ang sabi nga n'ya ang susuportahan n'ya sa 2016 ay 'yung... maglilingkod sa masa at kasama sa oposisyon... kung hindi man sumama si Grace Poe sa oposisyon o 'di s'ya deklaradong oposisyon, I'm very confident that Mayor Erap will support the candidacy of Binay," Bautista said.
Aside from PMP, Bautista said UNA is looking to forge alliances with Lakas party, National People's Coalition and National Unity Party.
He said UNA has recently formalized the alliance with Magdalo-Cavite, a local party in the province.