Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – “Original” members of the Liberal Party (LP) in Lanao del Norte took their oath Friday (October 9) as new members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
These former LP members include Pantao Ragat Mayor Eleanor Dimaporo-Lantud who is running for governor, Munai Mayor Muammar Maquiling running as representative of District 1, and Balo-i Mayor Hanifa Ali running as representative of District 2.
According to UNA, at least 24 provincial candidates in Lanao swore their allegiance to Vice President Jejomar Binay’s party.
“Kami ang original na Liberal Party sa Lanao del Norte. Narito kami ngayon sa party ni VP Binay dahil dito namin nakikita ‘yong mabuti at saka matuwid na landas,” Dimaporo-Lantud said during their dialog.
“Doon sa kabila, hindi na ako naniniwala na may matuwid na daan. Baluktot na daan na ngayon,” she added.
Dimaporo-Lantud is the daughter of the late Caromatan Mayor Sultan Naga Dimaporo, brother of the late congressman Mohammad Ali Dimaporo.
She told Binay that she and other Liberal Party members in Lanao went to the LP headquarters but were given the cold shoulder.
“Kahapon, naroon kami sa Balay, sa headquarters ng Liberal Party. Padaan-daan lang ‘yong mga tao na parang ‘di ka nila kilala. Lumalabas ‘yong totoong ugali ng mga taga-Liberal Party. Lumabas din ‘yong ugali nila na manggagamit sila ng tao. Ginamit nila kami since 2010 at 2013. Hindi sila marunong magbayad ng utang na loob,” she said.
UNA carries Binay as its presidential bet.
After resigning from President Benigno Aquino III’s cabinet as the Housing czar, Binay said he would lead the opposition against the Aquino administration.
