UNA finally bares senatorial slate for 2016 polls

THE UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) yesterday officially unveiled its full senatorial lineup, which includes at least five guest candidates running as independents in the 2016 elections.

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is one of UNA’s most prominent senatorial candidates.

Joining the boxing superstar on the list are former Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas, Parañaque Councilor Alma Moreno, Sulu Sultanate Princess Jacel Kiram, broadcaster Rey Langit, labor lawyer Allan Montaño and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) advocate Susan “Toots” Ople.

UNA’s guest senatorial candidates are Sen. Vicente Sotto III, former Senators Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

UNA president Toby Tiangco said the senatorial lineup would support the tandem of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Gregorio Honasan in curbing poverty, hunger and joblessness in a “competent, compassionate and healing government.”

“Everybody is united in the party’s goal, under VP Jejomar Binay, to provide relief to Filipinos anchored on programs and initiatives that would give solutions to joblessness, low wages and rising cost of goods,” Tiango said in a statement.

He said all of UNA’s candidates were committed to a propoor and reform-oriented legislative agenda.

They would push for a responsible and transparent governance, create more job opportunities, and tackle issues on health, education and other social services, he said.

The candidates would also work on issues concerning the rights and welfare of women and children, persons with disabilities, overseas Filipino workers, and address concerns on peace and order.

Another goal is to improve the delivery of government services, be energy independent by 2020, and attract more investments.

There were reports earlier that Pacquiao was being considered for the senatorial slate of the Liberal Party, and that he also supposedly planned to run with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

But in the end, Pacquiao opted to join Binay’s team.

Not all candidates in UNA’s senatorial lineup are exclusive to the party.

Lacson is also a candidate in the administration’s Daang Matuwid coalition led by LP standard bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate, Leni Robredo.

There is also a possibility that Lacson, Sotto, Gordon, Romualdez and Zubiri would be included in the senatorial slate of the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, which they would formally announce this week.

Romualdez might also be included in the Senate lineup of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and her running mate, Sen. Ferdidand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., being Bongbong’s first cousin.

Napeñas, in choosing to run with Binay, earlier said the Vice President was the first candidate to show respect for the 44 SAF commandos slain in Maguindanao in January.