Erin to UNA: Thank you, but I’m not running

MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party stalwart Quezon Rep Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III thanked Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada for inviting him to the senatorial ticket of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) after he failed to make it in the administration’s coalition ticket.

But Tañada said he will pass. “As a true believer that we must persist in having consistent political parties as part of our national building effort and as an advocate for political party and campaign reform, I had respectfully declined their invitation,” he said in a statement released Thursday, October 4.

Tañada decided to altogether drop his senatorial bid. He will no longer run even as an independent candidate, he said. (Read the inside story here.)

The leftist Makabayan coalition also invited him to run with Bayan Muna Rep Teodoro Casiño.

“As stated by the President last Oct. 1, it is true I sacrificed myself so he would have a ‘free hand’ in choosing who he believes should comprise the administration ticket. After serious reflection and consultation with my family, friends and supporters, I have decided not to pursue my Senate bid even as an independent candidate,” Tañada said.

Tañada up to the last minute entertained the possibility that he would be included in the slate. The adminsitration slate was short of one candidate after Customs commissioner Ruffy Biazon and TESDA director-general Joel Villanueva dropped out of the race. But Aquino would personally woo Sen Loren Legarda to complete the ticket.

“I thank all the friends that I have met and made in my provincial visits, my comrades in the Liberal Party Youth, other Liberal Party members, Kaya Natin as well as colleagues in Congress and in the Executive Branch who have publicly endorsed my bid,” Tañada said. – Rappler.com