Binay coalition not a threat – LP

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino’s Liberal Party (LP) is not threatened by the newly launched coalition between the political parties of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

“The LP is not threatened with the coalition of PDP- Laban and PMP,” said LP spokesperson Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III.

On March 30, Binay’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) formalized their coalition before the Commission on Elections. They named the coalition UNA or United Nationalist Alliance.

The UNA coalition has come up with its initial list of senatorial bets who will potentially fight it out with LP’s candidates. While UNA and LP said they are open to the possibility of coalescing with each other, neither side has taken the first move. (Read story: PNoy, Binay to field separate 2013 slates?)

LP’s focus: new members

It’s too early to be discussing coalitions, said Tañada. He said that to grow the party, LP is more focused on recruiting new members.

“Discussions on forming a coalition are too early. The LP is more concerned at this time in party building in the different provinces and municipalities. As a matter of fact, LP has been continuously giving LP basic orientation seminar to prospective members nationwide,” said Tañada.

LP’s membership dwindled over the last 2 decades when political party Lakas ruled the country’s politics. Lakas Presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo ruled from 1992-1998 and 2001 to 2010, respectively.

When President Aquino assumed power, however, many politicians jumped to LP. The administration was able to get the majority in the House of Representatives.

On the other hand, the much-hyped merger of Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) to support 2010 presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has since collapsed.

Many Lakas ang Kampi members have joined LP. – Rappler.com