UNA bets: 9-0 easier than 12-0

ZAMBALES, Philippines – For senatorial candidates of the opposition, a lean and mean team is better than a complete slate of 12 bets.

The United Nationalist Alliance’s (UNA) senatorial bets said they prefer not to have 3 more candidates to replace Sen Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, and Grace Poe.

The UNA bets said the alliance’s decision to drop the 3 common candidates saddened them but there is no need to look for replacements. They said while they were not privy of the decision, they respect UNA’s stand.

“I think 9-0 is more doable than 12-0,” Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter, Nancy, told reporters here. The statement alluded to the ruling Liberal Party’s (LP) statement that it is gunning for a 12-0 victory.

Nancy Binay added, “I guess it will be easier for us to go around and court voters. It’s easier to ask for 9 votes instead of 12. At least, the voters will still have 3 other names they can add.”

Former Tarlac Gov Tingting Cojuangco agreed.

“These are intramurals but we have to take care of our candidacies so we accept it. If it’s just 9, it’s easier to push 9.”

For San Juan Rep JV Ejercito and resigned Sen Juan Miguel Zubiri, having 9 or 12 candidates does not really matter.

“As long as our team is cohesive, and the relationship is good, so far [we have] been very optimistic because even if we’re in the opposition, the reception we got in Cebu, Pampanga at Zambales was really warm,” Ejercito said.

Zubiri also said, “Whether we’re 12 or we’re 9, you can see we can stand on our own whenever we have rallies, we all have our platforms of governance.”

“So it doesn’t matter as long as we’re cohesive and united as a team. There’s no infighting. We’re all supporting, campaigning for each other. We’re like a family,” Zubiri told Rappler.

The candidates made the statement amid reports UNA might tap evangelist Bro Eddie Villanueva and Puerto Princesa, Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn as replacements of two of the 3 common bets.

The senatorial bets echoed the personal stand of UNA campaign manager Navotas Rep Toby Tiangco who also preferred to stick to the 9 candidates.

Teddy Casiño, too?

Like his father, Ejercito said he is open to accepting Villanueva into UNA.

Ejercito’s father, former President Joseph Estrada, sits on UNA’s executive committee along with Binay and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. It is the executive committee that calls the shots in UNA.

“I’m not surprised by the reports that Brother Eddie might join us. He has been talking to my father ever since. They’ve become friends.”

Ejercito added, “Mayor Hagedorn has been a good friend of the family and our group for a long time so let’s just wait for the decision of the higher-ups of our group.”

Asked about a possible third replacement, Ejercito named Bayan Muna Rep Teddy Casiño.

“Well, Teddy Casiño has been in talks with the former President before. The former President has been talking to him before and wanted to get help him. It’s just that somewhere along the way, it didn’t push through.”

Ejercito said, “Actually nag-usap na sila noon pero ‘di nagkatuluyan, nagkasamaan ng loob minsan. It will not be a remote possibility.” (They’ve been in talks but it didn’t push through. They had a falling out at some but. It will not be a remote possibility.)

The congressman added that the Estradas and Casiño have “mutual respect.”

Nancy Binay said she was not privy to talks about replacements.

“As of the moment, I have not heard about that because it’s also hard if you add new candidates. We already shot our ad with just us 9.”

‘Sad decision to make’

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, former President Estrada said the decision to junk Legarda, Escudero and Poe was made after much discussion.

“Malungkot man, tinitiyak ko sa inyong lahat na nananatili ang aking paggalang kina Senadora Loren Legarda at Chiz Escudero, at kay Grace Poe, ang anak ng aking pinakamatalik na kaibigang si Ronnie Poe, The King of Philippine Movies.” (Although it’s sad, I assure you all that my respect remains for Sen Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero and Grace Poe, the son of my best friend, Ronnie Poe.)

Despite the decision, Estrada and Ejercito said they will continue to personally campaign for Poe.

“I will support Grace definitely, she’s my kinakapatid, ako’y inaanak ni Susan Roces, kumare ko rin siya kaya mahirap naman ideny ang aming relationship.” (I cannot deny our relationship.)

Zubiri and Cojuangco also said that Legarda and Escudero will remain personal friends.

Yet the candidates could not help but express their disappointment.

Nancy Binay pointed out that it was even UNA that first announced Legarda as its candidate. She also cited UNA’s ties to Poe.

“Hindi sila loss pero nakakalungkot lang kasi nung 2004, kami ang magkakasama sa laban ni FPJ eh tapos ngayon nandoon sila sa mga nanira at nang-api kay FPJ.” (No, they are not a loss but it really saddens me because in 2004, we were the ones together in the fight for FPJ. Now, they are there with those who attacked FPJ.)

Ejercito said as much. “Si Grace, alam niya kung sino ang nagpakahirap para kay FPJ nung 2004, nung panahong ang LP ay ‘di naniniwala sa kanyang tatay. Kami ay buong puso, dugo’t pawis ang aming binigay para kay FPJ, former President Erap, VP Binay at kami.”

(Grace knows who worked hard for FPJ in 2004, at the time the LP did not believe in her father. We wholeheartedly gave blood and sweat for FPJ, former President Erap, VP Binay and us.)

Legarda was the running mate of Poe’s father, the late Fernando Poe Jr, in 2004. Escudero was the spokesperson of the Genuine Opposition then. – Rappler.com