Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After its launch as a political party in front of 3,000 people from all over the country on Wednesday (July 1), the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will launch its party in all regions in the country starting next week.
“Mahalaga ang suporta at direktang makausap mga kababayan. Bababa si VP. At sasabihin muli yung plataporma ng UNA sa mga kababayan,” said Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA interim president.
[Translation: “The people’s support is important, as well as our being able to speak with them. The Vice President will once again face the public and tell them about UNA’s platform.”]
Related: UNA offers ‘caring and competent’ governance, says VP Binay
Tiangco said the party would focus on the grassroots level for now, as the supposed political persecution being done against the vice president, his family, and other opposition leaders have created a chilling effect on politicians and even financial supporters of UNA.
Tiangco admitted some of their financial supporters have already backed out.
He added that this started when the Court of Appeals ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of Binay and his allies.
Even UNA’s political alliances couldn’t be formalized yet for fear that these parties or their members may also be the subject of political persecution.
Tiangco said, though, that he expects those willing to gamble on UNA to finalize their alliance before the filing of candidacy in October.
While he believes that most of their talks with other parties will be finalized next year, Tiangco confirmed that one thing is certain — Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino will still support UNA.
Estrada is one of UNA’s so-called Three Kings, along with Binay and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is currently detained due to a plunder case.
The former president, however, was a no-show in the UNA launch on Wednesday because Estrada had prior commitments that he needed to prioritize.
What should Binay do now?
But what should Binay do in the coming days to gain the support of more people?
Political analyst Prospero De Vera said the Vice President should not just criticize the Aquino administration over and over again.
Read: VP Binay speaks up after Cabinet resignation, slams Aquino administration
It is imperative that he should also provide more details and substance on his platform of governance, De Vera added.
Otherwise, his criticisms may backfire.
“If it will be a rant, they will say well, ‘You just want to be president that’s why you don’t see good.’ Provide better alternatives,” De Vera explained.
De Vera also said it would also help Binay to start identifying competent and potential advisers who will make up his government in case he wins in 2016.
