Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Despite supposed efforts from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to try to get the support of the Liberal Party’s two coalition partners, the Liberal Party is confident the coalition it built in 2013 will remain intact for 2016.
Aside from attempting to get backing from the two LP partners — the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and the National Unity Party (NUP) — UNA has also been in talks with Lakas-CMD led by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, the former president.
UNA needs the support of these parties to help secure votes at the local level.
“Baka Lakas pero I don’t think NUP and NPC are talking to them (UNA) as a party. Maybe individually as a member, ganun naman sa politika natin sa bansa, pero as a party I don’t think so,” said Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Liberal Party stalwart.
[Translation: “Perhaps with Lakas, but I don’t think NUP and NPC are talking to them as a party. Maybe individually as a member, politics in our country has been that way. But as a party, I don’t think so.”]
UNA currently has eight House representatives, four governors, and a total of 129 mayors from its roster.
This is much less than LP’s 108 House representatives, 36 governors, and 665 mayors.
In 2013, the administration party’s senatorial ticket was composed of members of LP and six other parties:
Nacionalist People’s Coalition
Nacionalista Party
National Unity Party
Akbayan
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban
UNA, meanwhile, seemed to be more confident in securing a partnership with Lakas-CMD. Its president, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, is expected to join UNA’s senatorial slate — and party stalwart Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez has expressed support for Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Lakas-CMD, on the other hand, has 14 House representatives, one governor, and 41 mayors currently in office.
No worries
UNA is not worried about teaming up with a party affiliated with former President Arroyo.
“But the leadership of Lakas has changed because Congressman Martin is already the president. Of course black prop ng kabila is lakas equals GMA,” said UNA interim president Rep. Toby Tiangco.
[Translation: “But the leadership of Lakas has changed because Congressman Martin is already the president. Of course the other party’s black propaganda is that Lakas equals to GMA.”]
UNA admitted securing the support of a major party like NPC would be a big boost.
NPC claims to be the second biggest party in the country. Its members currently occupy 42 seats in Congress, 14 gubernatorial posts, and 246 mayors.
“When it comes to the next election, the party has not yet made any decision whatsoever. Again let me emphasize, the party believes that it’s too early to talk politics,” said Navotas Mayor Rex Gatchalian, NPC spokesman.
According to political analyst Prospero De Vera, if Sen. Grace Poe decides to run, it could influence upcoming political alliances.
“The reason why things are not simplifying fast enough is because the front runner, Grace Poe, does not have a political party. That’s the main reason why the alliances are still fluid at this point in time,” De Vera noted.
If Poe decides to run for president, De Vera sees her joining the NP, which could field Sen. Ferdindand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as her vice president.
This, in turn, could push Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run as vice president for Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who’s recently been spotted meeting the mayor. If this happens, Duterte’s PDP-Laban would stick to its coalition with LP.
If Poe runs as Roxas’s vice president, De Vera explained that the partnership could prompt a coalition between NP and PDP Laban, with Duterte as the standard bearer.
Moreover, UNA also stands to lose an ally if Poe decides to run since Estrada has already expressed his intent to support Poe’s bid if she decides to seek a higher post.
And if that happens, Estrada and his party — Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino — would have to break off its tandem with UNA.
