UNA bets: We can campaign on our own

COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Philippines – “Team PNoy is like a house of cards. Without PNoy, they all crumble.”

In contrast, the opposition can campaign without its top endorsers, said Zambales Rep Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay on Tuesday, March 19.

Magsaysay made the statement as senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) campaigned in Southern Mindanao without their so-called 3 kings: Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Binay is in the Vatican for the papal inauguration while Estrada and Enrile are taking a break from the campaign in Manila.

Magsaysay said President Benigno Aquino III endorsed his Team PNoy individual senatorial candidates in political ads, and is present in many of their sorties.

“Kami lang ngayon. Walang Binay, Erap, Enrile but we’re still campaigning. Ang importante, the candidate can stand by himself. Bonus na lang kung may endorsement power ang 3 hari namin. ‘Di kagaya nila, lahat sila para silang mga sisiw, kung saan si PNoy doon lang sila. Kung wala si PNoy, nagkapulasan na sila.”

(We are on our own now. No Binay, Erap, Enrile. The important thing is the candidate can stand by himself. The 3 kings’ endorsement is just a bonus. Unlike them, they are like chicks. Where PNoy goes, they follow. If PNoy is not around, they break apart.)

While Aquino endorses his bets in sorties, he is present in just about half of the Team PNoy events.

Yet Magsaysay insists Team PNoy candidates are dependent on Aquino. She said they “do nothing but mention PNoy in their speeches instead of discussing their plans.”

“Parang buong kampanya nila, nakaangkla kay PNoy.” (It’s like their whole campaign is anchored on PNoy.)

On the ads, Magsaysay said only the children of UNA’s top endorsers have ads featuring any of the so-called 3 kings.

‘Three kings rare in campaign’

Whether Magsaysay is correct or not, Nancy Binay said what is certain is that UNA bets rarely get to campaign with their stalwarts.

Still, she said this does not translate to a lukewarm response from people.

“In spite of the fact na ‘di namin sila kasama, mainit pa rin ang pagtanggap sa amin. It proves on our own, kaya naming magkaroon ng hatak pero siyempre mas maganda kung kasama sila..” (Even if they’re not with us, the reception we get is still warm. It proves we can draw people on our own but of course, it’s better if they are there.)

Binay cited the senatorial candidates’ sorties in Cavite, Olongapo, and Bukidnon where tens of thousands came as proof that they can attract people without the 3 leaders.

She also said it is inevitable for the candidates to stand on their own, with her father busy with his job as the second highest official, and Estrada now focusing on his campaign for Manila mayor.

The vice president’s daughter also dismissed speculation that the administration sent her father to the Vatican to lessen UNA’s drawing power in sorties this week.

“Once in a lifetime opportunity din ‘yun, mapanood mo ang installation ng pope. Ang father ko, this might be his first and last time makakita ng installation of pope.” (That is also a once in a lifetime opportunity, to watch the installation of the pope. This might be my father’s first and last time to see that.)

Does the presence of top endorsers like Aquino, Binay, Estrada and Enrile in sorties boost the senatorial bets’ campaign? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. – Rappler.com