Team Pnoy shrugs off UNA’S threats

LEADERS of Team PNoy brushed off threats made by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) against Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Loren Legarda and former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairman Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares.

The Nationalist Alliance regard these three as their guest candidates.

“These three appeared at the Team PNoy proclamation rally in Plaza Miranda. That speaks volumes of what they think of UNA,” House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales 2nd.

Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara of Aurora province, meanwhile, said that Escudero “will win regardless of what actions are made against him.”

Escudero, for his part, said that while UNA’s ditching could lose him votes, the move to drop him is puzzling, considering that he virtually did the same thing in 2010—supporting candidates from two different parties.

In the summer of 2010, Escudero endorsed the presidential bid of President Benigno Aquino 3rd of the Liberal Party but backed up Binay of the Partido Demokratiko PilipinoPwersa ng Masang Pilipino ticket.

“No candidate would want to lose support during elections. But I can’t do anything about UNA’s decision. I can’t understand what they are doing because I have been talking to them,” Escudero said.

Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas City, UNA secretary general, on Thursday, said that the three candidates should declare their intentions and not leave them hanging.

“If we are not important to them, then they should say so. Binibitin lang nila kami,” Tiangco said.

“They should not have the best of both worlds. It’s unfair to us especially our solid UNA candidates, who are campaigning hard in the provinces,” he added.

He noted that the alliance has given much leeway and understanding to the three candidates and it is only proper for them to be honest not only to the party but also to the Filipino people.

It was learned that in the days leading to Tuesday’s proclamation rally in Cebu province, Legarda and Llamanzares talked to UNA leaders and gave their commitment to attend future UNA rallies and sorties.

“But their recent statements and actions have left UNA no recourse but to ask them to make a public commitment to join UNA events,” Tiangco said.