Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — After taking a leave of absence of nearly three years, Senator Nancy Binay returned as president of the United Nationalist Alliance on Tuesday with an announcement that the party is suspending election-related talks to focus on the fight against COVID-19.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives and economy, and with the unfolding of another wave of infections brought by new variants that may likely compromise public health and cripple healthcare institutions, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has decided to put on hold all matters concerning alliances, coalitions, and other political activities,” Binay said in a statement.
She said it would be “cold and insensitive” to talk about politics now amid the spread of the dreaded Delta variant.
“Politics is aggravating a public health issue. It is also hampering our level of response,” Binay said. “For this reason, UNA has decided to suspend all talks in connection with the 2022 national elections until further notice so that the party can help and focus well in fighting the pandemic.”
Binay’s office confirmed she is back as UNA president starting Tuesday. She filed an indefinite leave in October 2018 amid the rivalry between her siblings, Makati Mayor Abby Binay and former local chief executive Junjun Binay, who were both running in the city’s 2019 mayoral race.
Meanwhile, the opposition Liberal Party said it wanted to reach out to the senator in its effort to form the “broadest possible unity” against the administration’s bets, but it’s unclear if a meeting has taken place.
Senator Franklin Drilon, LP vice chairman, said now is the time to talk about politics with two months left before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2022 elections.
“The people will have to examine the candidates who will be in the best position to respond to the problems that we face today,” Drilon said in an online media interview.
“Whether we like it or not, people are preparing for next year’s elections… Not to talk about politics at this stage is not realistic but that should not prejudice our efforts to address the pandemic,” he added.
LP’s potential standard bearer, Vice President Leni Robredo, has met with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III -– the first confirmed presidential and vice-presidential tandem, as well as Senator Richard Gordon, who’s also considering running for President.
On July 24, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, UNA founder, met with Lacson, chairman of the revived Partido Reporma, and Sotto, chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition. Sotto announced that the former VP will run for the Senate and will be endorsed by the Lacson-Sotto tandem.
READ: Why Nancy Binay won’t run for higher office in 2022
