UNA bets: Political rivalry is like UAAP

MANILA, Philippines – Strange bedfellows? Rivals-turned-allies? For candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), that is not traditional politics. Instead, it’s just like a UAAP game. 

This is how former Sen Richard Gordon responded to criticisms of transactional politics in the senatorial slate of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

On the sidelines of UNA’s filing of certificates of candidacy on Monday, October 1, Gordon told Rappler why former foes are now teaming up in the ticket.

“Laban sa pulitika, [parang] kami ng Ateneo, La Salle, UP. Ako, Ateneo ako. ‘Pag matapos ang game, magkakaibigan kami,” Gordon said. (Political battles are just like our rivalry in the Ateneo, La Salle and UP. I’m from Ateneo but after the game, we are all friends.)

The former senator is a fan of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is frequently spotted watching the games.

In joining UNA, Gordon reconciled with two political rivals. First is Zambales Rep Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay. The Gordons and Magsaysays have been bitter rivals in the local level. 

Newspaper reports said Magsaysay’s son, Jobo, may go up against Gordon’s brother, incumbent Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr, in the 2013 congressional race.

Like Gordon, Magsaysay said their history is way behind them. 

“Alam mo para sa akin kung ano man po ang naging political issue namin ni Sen Gordon, noong araw, tapos na po iyon. That is local politics. To be an effective public servant, dapat matuto kang maging mature,” Magsaysay told Rappler. (For me, whatever our political issue was, that’s over. That is local politics. To be an effective public servant, you must learn to be mature.) 

“We have already proven our worth, each of us, we’re both qualified and credible so I’m happy na magkakasama kami sa Senado (I’m happy we can be together in the Senate),” she added.  

‘What old faces?’

Another person Gordon reconciled with is UNA chairman and former President Joseph Estrada. The two clashed over the US bases issue. When Estrada became president, his first administrative order was to remove Gordon as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

On Monday, Estrada raised Gordon’s hand in endorsement.

“Hindi naman kami magkakalaban in such a way. We had a different opinion. He’s pro-bases, I’m anti-bases, that’s it. ‘Di naman kami personal na magkalaban. It’s an old issue,” the former President told Rappler. (We are not enemies in such a way. We had a difference in opinion. He’s pro-bases, I’m anti-bases, that’s it. We are not personal enemies. It’s an old issue.)

Estrada said the ruling Liberal Party is the one guilty of having strange bedfellows. 

“Di ba sila Nacionalista at Liberal, magkakalaban iyon lalo na nung last eleksyon? Bakit sila magkakasama,” Estrada laughed. “Kami di nagkakalaban ni VP Binay, Senate President Enrile. We’re always together. Sila nga eh.” (Aren’t the Liberals and the Nacionalista Party rivals, especially in the last elections? Why are they allies now? VP Binay, Senate President Enrile and I never fought.)

The former president also rejected criticism that the same old faces dominate the senatorial race, at least for UNA.

“Bakit, si Jackie Enrile is a new face. He came from Congress, from the lower House. JV [Ejercito] also came from the lower House. Anong old faces? They are new faces in fact.” (Why, Jackie Enrile is a new face. What old faces?)

Estrada was referring to Cagayan Rep, Juan “Jack” Ponce Enrile Jr, son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Ejercito is Estrada’s son and representative of San Juan.

Ejercito said voters are smart enough to know who they are choosing.

“Matalino, marunong ang ating mga botante at ‘wag naman sanang maliitin na hindi nila alam kung sino ang pinipili, alam nila iyan (Voters are smart and let us not underestimate them, that they don’t know who they are choosing, they know that). I think people will vote now based on track record and performance, not only because of the name,” said Ejercito. 

‘The Cojuangco-Aquino service’ 

Another UNA senatorial candidate, former Tarlac Gov Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco also responded to criticisms of political dynasty.

Instead of judging families like hers, Cojuangco said the public should instead look into “the achievements and the purpose of these families.”

“It’s really the accomplishments. What have we done for our country? How long have we been doing it? Where do we foresee the country to be?”

Cojuangco also said it is not an issue for her that another relative of President Benigno Aquino III is running for senator. Cojuangco is the aunt-in-law of the President. Aquino’s cousin, Bam Aquino, is also pursuing a senatorial bid under the Liberal Party.

“Frankly, I don’t pay attention to that issue. It’s really the service of the Cojuangco-Aquino families. And also for all of you to know: my great grandfather was from Iloilo. He was General Adriano Dayot Hernandez and my great-great grandfather, Crisanto Mendoza de los Reyes who financed the Cavite mutiny with two others. So with the pedigree of that, I’ve always been a fighter so let’s go!”

Cojuangco was also asked to comment on activists’ statement that she is only running for Senator so her family can retain ownership of the Hacienda Luisita sugar-estate despite a Supreme Court decision ordering its distribution.

“What else do you expect? A lot of what they did in Luisita, did they go back and help the people? They just left the land alone. They didn’t rehabilitate or look after the people.” 

She added, “Now…the land is lost, the people don’t have livelihood, they don’t even have a hospital to serve them. The schools are not functioning, the buses, the livelihood they have for 6,300 families is gone.” – Rappler.com