STATEMENT OF UNA SECRETARY GENERAL TOBY TIANGCO ON THE CALL OF LP SPOKESMAN BEN EVARDONE FOR RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW IN THE SUSPENSION OF CEBU GOVERNOR GWEN GARCIA

Liberal Party spokesman Rep. Evardone used to be one of Mrs. Arroyo's most loyal defenders and used to insist that Mrs. Arroyo was on the right side of the law each time her regime abused its power.

He now speaks of "letting the legal process prevail” and “respect for the rule of law” in the suspension of Governor Gwen Garcia, UNA’s provincial chair for Cebu and congressional candidate. These words sound very familiar. These are the same words used by Rep. Evardone and other former Arroyo defenders to justify the harassment of the opposition led by Vice President Binay in 2006 and 2007.

Like other Arroyo defenders who shifted loyalties en masse to the ruling party, the LP spokesman is recycling the same excuses meant to justify political harassment. Harassment is harassment. You cannot invoke “respect for the rule of law” and “daang matuwid” to justify a patently illegal act and the abuse of power. Those who are now invoking the rule of law and the righteous path should first examine their tainted political and moral backgrounds to avoid embarrassing themselves and their new masters.

Nothing can justify abuse of power, especially not the recycled statements from defenders of the discredited former regime. No matter what the LP and its apologists say, the people of Cebu know that Martial law has been imposed in their province.

For UNA, respect for the rule of law also means extending courtesy to a co-equal branch of government. Since a case has already been filed before the Court of Appeals, the administration party should allow the courts to decide.

The LP claims that party members are treated in the same manner as Governor Garcia. We want to remind the LP that in the case of Caloocan Mayor Recom Echeverri, an LP member, his suspension was not effectively served and his followers were allowed to camp out in front of City Hall with the least intervention from the police. We did not hear the LP or the administration asking him to follow the suspension order while waiting for the Court of Appeals to decide.

In the case of Governor Garcia, there are glaring violations of the law and clear abuse of power. The LP-affiliated Vice Governor closed down two media outlets on flimsy grounds. The police erected barricades and deployed armalite-wielding policemen to the capitol. Supporters of the Governor and even employees were prevented from entering the grounds.

The leaders of UNA visited Governor Garcia to show their support for a beleaguered member and to make sure that the authorities respect the law. This is hardly a controversial move. It cannot be compared to DILG Secretary Mar Roxas attempting to influence the Sandiganbayan when he accompanied his party mate Grace Padaca when she posted bail for a graft case.

The LP gubernatorial candidate for Cebu has also said that the people of Cebu will render the ultimate judgment in the 2013 elections. This is precisely our point and this is what makes the suspension order nothing more than a power grab by the LP, a desperate and blatant attempt to overturn the decision of the people of Cebu in the 2010 elections. #

UNA BETS DOMINATE PULSE ASIA POLL

Candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dominated the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

The survey conducted from November 23 - 29 involving 1,200 respondents showed UNA could win seven out of the 12 senatorial slots in 2013.

Sen. Francis Escudero led all senatorial bets with a score of 74.1 percent, while Sen. Loren Legarda got 68.3 percent. Both Legarda and Escudero are guest candidates of UNA.

The survey results showed at least five other UNA senatorial bets landing in the Magic 12. San Juan Representative Jose Victor Ejercito is currently in 4^th place with 57 percent and Rep. Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. is in 5^th with 53.2 percent.

Incumbent Sen. Gregorio Honasan is in 8^th with 44.9 percent while Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter Nancy Binay jumped to 9^th place with 41.3 percent.

Former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri rounds out list in 12^th with 40.5 percent.

Other UNA candidates in the top 20 are former Senator Richard Gordon in 14^th, Grace Poe – Llamanzares in 17^th, former Senator Ernesto Maceda in 19^th and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco in 20^th place.

3

Nancy Binay visits Cavite

Nancy Binay gives away bags of candies to public school elementary pupils in Bacoor City, Cavite while her father, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, looks on.

The Vice President earlier distributed 1,560 certificates of lot award (CELA) to housing beneficiaries living along the Philippine National Railway tracks in Tanza; 57 titles in General Trias; 1,100 CELAs in Kawit; and 644 CELAs in Bacoor. #

Legarda Congratulates President Obama for Successful Re-election

Senator Loren Legarda, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, congratulated US President Barack Obama on his successful bid for a second term as the chief executive of the United States of America.

“I warmly congratulate President Obama for his re-election. The citizens of the United States have once again placed their trust in their incumbent leader to advance the causes of the nation and its people. As a leader of a powerful nation, other countries, including the Philippines, also hope that President Obama will champion vital global issues,” said Legarda.

The Senator also expressed optimism that President Obama’s second term will be more productive and beneficial not only for the people of the US but also for the whole world as the US is one of the most powerful nations.

“I trust that in the next four years, he will be at the forefront of disaster risk reduction politics by further strengthening the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) not only to respond to disasters but also to enhance preparedness and build back more resilient communities. Disaster risk reduction agencies, such as FEMA, are important as the economic crisis that is experienced in many parts of the world is exacerbated by climate change, which leads to loss of lives, homes and livelihoods,” she said.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, stressed that President Obama should be a leader of the world and set an example by reducing USA’s fossil fuel consumption, promote use of renewable energy, provide better support for agricultural workers and vulnerable sectors, and assist developing nations who bear the brunt of disasters caused by climate change.

She also cited Obama’s commitment to provide affordable quality healthcare for all Americans and stressed that it is an inspiring flagship program that should be emulated by leaders worldwide.***

MACEDA URGES CONGRESS TO PASS LAW AGAINST POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda today called on members of Congress to go beyond their personal interests and pass the anti-dynasty law as prescribed by the Constitution. 

"The constitution is clear in saying that political dynasties are prohibited and it is brazenly a violation of the Constitution not to pass an anti-dynasty law," Maceda said. 

Maceda said the proposal of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago could be a start, with the minimum requirement being the prohibition of relatives within the second degree of consanguinity from running in the same province, city or municipality. 

He clarified, however, that it should not be extended to all relatives like nephews and nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts. He also said there must be exceptions, for example, if the politician's father served many, many years ago.

Maceda said that this is to give other candidates who are not as powerful as the incumbent an opportunity to serve the people as well. "It is also a valid point that just like the rationale of the party list law, all citizens should be given an equal chance to win in public office," he said. 

(End) 

Nancy Binay is UNA’s 12th senatorial candidate

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) today announced the selection of Nancy Binay, eldest daughter of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, as its 12^th senatorial candidate.

“We are encouraged by Nancy’s consistently strong performance in the surveys. She has always landed in the winning circle in both Pulse Asia and SWS with the least effort,” said UNA Secretary General Toby Tiangco in a statement.

“There has also been a groundswell of support for her candidacy coming from sectoral groups and non-governmental organizations nationwide. We cannot ignore these voices and their commitment to help Nancy and the entire senatorial slate of UNA,” he added.

Tiangco said the younger Binay will contribute the “Binay brand of outstanding public service” once elected to the Senate.

While serving as mayor of Makati, the Vice President received local and international recognition for his trailblazing programs in education, health and senior citizens welfare.

“With her father working tirelessly in the Executive Department, we can now be assured that there will be additional legislative support in Congress that will bring the social benefits currently being enjoyed by the citizens of Makati to all Filipinos,” Tiangco said.

Ms. Binay, 39, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. She served as personal assistant to her father during his term as mayor and for housing concerns after his election as Vice President.

Tiangco also noted that the Vice President initially opposed his daughter’s candidacy, but he relented when former President Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile voted for her to run.

UNA Misamis Oriental candidates to file COCs today

MEDIA ADVISORY: 

Vice President Jejomar Binay to join UNA local candidates of Misamis Oriental at 1pm tomorrow, October 5, as they file their certificates of candidacy at the COMELEC-Misamis Oriental, Cagayan De Oro City.

Statement of Senator Gringo Honasan in the Inquirer

via the Philippine Daily Inquirer: 

Aquino, UNA should work together to fight poverty – Honasan

By Philippine Daily Inquirer
Norman Bordadora

Senator Gringo Honasan

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Gregorio Honasan said the United Nationalist Alliance has not been and would not be the bad guy in President Benigno Aquino III’s campaign for good governance on the so-called tuwid na daan (straight path).

But he said Aquino’s self-righteous supporters could be.

Honasan, UNA’s only reelectionist exclusively in its fold, said President Aquino and their coalition’s have been facing common enemies in “poverty, hunger, ignorance and, in this case, too much partisan politics.”

“I am convinced that the UNA is not the enemy of the President,” Honasan told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview.

“The permanent enemy of the President and the UNA, including the administration coalition … is poverty, hunger, ignorance and, if I may add in light of the recent developments, too much partisan politics,” Honasan added.

Honasan said that with President Aquino and UNA’s leaders—Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former President Joseph Estrada—all enjoying high trust ratings, they could do much more to rally the country to economic growth even beyond 2016.

Honasan was reacting to President Aquino’s remarks during his proclamation of the senatorial candidates of the administration coalition.

Aquino said that if the members of the Liberal Party-led coalition were on the right path, how could those running against them—in apparent reference to the UNA slate members—also be on the right way.

Honasan expressed belief that President Aquino didn’t mean to disparage the members of the UNA coalition but made the remark only in the context of promoting the LP slate.

“I’m not referring to the President but there are those who pass themselves off as competent, all-knowing and clean but who are not and who are talking too much.

“To me, no one really cares what they think,” Honasan said.

“What’s important is President Aquino, Vice President Binay, Senate President Enrile and former President Estrada must combine and take a long term view.

“These elections would end and we will have to buckle down to work…. UNA is a critical ingredient in pursuing the President’s programs,” Honasan added.

Honasan said no set of national officials, whether elected or appointed, could match the combined trust ratings of the four officials.

Asked what alternative UNA could present to the people if it’s not the enemy of President Aquino, Honasan said, “Then we’ll move into high political ground.”

“If the people below the President would insist on a position of self-righteousness—as what I’ve said passing themselves off as competent, knowledgeable and clean, even when they’re not—then UNA is diametrically opposed to that,” Honasan said.

Honasan said the fact that UNA has in its fold supporters of former President Joseph Estrada, stalwarts of the Arroyo administration and independents shows the alliance’s long-term view of national unity.

“If the people below the President, the President’s subordinates take a different view, then UNA will be diametrically opposed to that because it’s in the way of political unity and economic development, economic prosperity and social cohesion, which are the desires of national security,” Honasan said.

Honasan, however, wouldn’t ascribe any ill-motive to Sen. Franklin Drilon’s statement on common candidates of the LP and UNA being discouraged from joining UNA rallies.

“I am not in a position to pass judgment on Senator Drilon’s statements,” Honasan said, adverting to the tradition of senators not questioning the motives of other senators.

Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Loren Legarda and Grace Poe-Llamanzares are common candidates of the LP coalition and the UNA.

STATEMENT OF UNA SECRETARY GENERAL TOBY TIANGCO ON THE UNA COALITION AND THE PRESIDENT'S REFORM AGENDA

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is a coalition of two major political parties whose support for the reform agenda of President Aquino is beyond question.

In the Senate, the senators allied with UNA have firmly stood behind the President’s legislative priorities. And if there is one test of UNA’s support for the rule of the law, transparency and accountability in government, one need only to recall how our senators voted in the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice. 

UNA should be seen as a partner of the Aquino administration. We are not obstructionist critics.  We will support and commend programs and policies that will benefit our people. But we will also point out shortcomings and misguided policies. This we owe to the people.

We believe that the reform agenda of our President is best served not by blind obedience but by responsible vigilance. We must make sure that the abuse of power for personal and political ends and the widespread corruption and misuse of public funds during the previous regime will not be repeated.

There are those in the administration coalition who are attempting to recast themselves as true-blue believers in reform and good governance. The truth is that these personalities were among the most rabid defenders of Mrs. Arroyo when she was in power, but have found it politically convenient to wear yellow and proclaim themselves as advocates of Tuwid na Daan. These political hypocrites know who they are.

In contrast, most of the leaders and members of UNA have proven their commitment to truth, freedom, and good governance.

Mula pa noong panahon ng batas militar, noong Rebolusyon sa EDSA, at hanggang administrasyon ni Mrs. Arroyo, naroon at lumaban ang marami sa mga kasapi ng UNA.

Noong dinaya si FPJ, lumaban kami na noon ay kasapi ng Genuine Opposition para manaig ang tunay na tinig ng bayan. Noong isampa ang impeachment kay Mrs. Arroyo, naroon kami at lumaban din sa Kongreso, sa harap ng pagharang ng mga kaalyado niyang higit marami sa amin ang bilang. 

Halos lahat ng mga humamak kay FPJ, halos lahat ng mga humarang sa impeachment ni Mrs. Arroyo ang ngayo'y bahagi ng administrasyon. Nandiyan pa ang mga nagsabing handa silang kupkupin si Mrs. Arroyo sa kanilang probinsya kung ayaw na ng mga taga-Metro Manila sa kanya. Ganyan ang klase ng suporta na ibinigay kay Mrs. Arroyo ng mga ngayon ay nagmamalinis at pumuposturang maka-reporma.

Hindi namin inaalis ang karapatan ng halos lahat ng mga dating kaalyado ni Mrs. Arroyo, sa pambansa at lokal na antas, na sumama sa koalisyon ng administrasyon. Malaya silang pumili ng kanilang sasamahan. May ilan sa kanila na kasama din namin. Para sa UNA, ang mahalaga ay nagkakaisa tayo para sa interes ng sambayanan.

Naninindigan ang UNA na ang halalan sa 2013 ay hindi dapat labanan ng “kami” at “sila.” Ang kalaban natin ay hindi ang isa’t-isa. Ang kalaban natin ay ang gutom at kahirapan.

Naririto ang UNA upang samahan ang mamamayan sa laban na ito. Kung may mga kasama kami na pumupuna, ito ay nagmumula sa hangarin na ituwid ang sa kanilang tingin ay mali at tiyakin na hindi nalilihis ang ating pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Sana ay hindi ito masamain dahil ito po ay bahagi ng demokrasya. Magkaroon man ng hindi pagkakaunawaan o pagkakaiba ng opinyon, ang layunin naman natin ay iisa: maisulong ang mga reporma upang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang lahat ng Pilipino. # 

Erap files COC for Mayor of Manila (photos)

UNA Candidates File Certificates of Candidacy accompanied by UNA "3 Kings"

 At Manila Hotel ...

L-R: Mitos Magsaysay, Ernesto Maceda, JV Ejercito-Estrada, Joseph Estrada, Jejomar Binay, Juan Ponce Enrile, Miguel Zubiri, Gringo Honasan, Richard Gordon, Jack Enrile, Tingting Cojuangco. Front: Manny Pacquiao

At Comelec ...
 

The Three Kings/Kingmakers

Senatorial Candidate Tingting Cojuangco with PDP Laban Sec Gen fmr Cong. Peping Cojuangco

Statement of Mr. Joey de Venecia on Withdrawal from Senate Race

From Joey De Venecia III: Statement on Senatorial Candidacy

During this past month, I have been seriously reflecting on my senatorial candidacy guided by my desire to serve the people and encouraged by my achievements in public governance as Executive Vice President of PDP-Laban and senior advisor to the Vice President of the Philippines. At the same time I have been continuously involved in private business generating investments and creating jobs particularly in the BPO, call centers and technology sectors.

I am humbled in being included in the senatorial line-up of the prestigious United Nationalist Alliance. I am particularly grateful to Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Manong Johnny Ponce Enrile, and former President Joseph Estrada for their support.

I would also like to thank the Filipino people who recognize my contribution in our fight against corruption and acknowledge my capability to bring employment to our workforce. A recent Laylo Research Strategies survey placed me tied for the 13^th position without my having to engage in any form of campaigning or broad public exposure. I thank the Filipino people for indicating in the survey that they want me to serve in the Senate.

I have made a choice.

My efforts in business have resulted to substantial and wide-reaching investment agreements in BPO, call center, technology and other sectors. These investments guarantee numerous jobs for the Filipinos. However, since I am a pioneer in the call center and broadband technology business, my direct involvement in these industries is necessary; which means that if I run for the Senate, I will have to delay these private sector initiatives until I finish my term in office.

Through these businesses, I have the opportunity to provide investments and jobs for our country immediately today. Through these businesses, I have the opportunity to help government realize Filipino aspirations especially among the poor immediately today.

I have therefore decided not to run for the Senate in 2013. Instead, I will pursue these immediate business endeavors bringing investments and jobs to our country. In so doing, I shall have achieved through business what I will only begin achieving through the Senate.

My time in the Philippine Senate will come. It is clear to me that public service is part of my life’s mission. I will continue to work for the prosperity of as many Filipinos as possible  and at the appropriate time in the future prepare myself for the Senate.

I thank everyone for your support.

Joey De Venecia III

-oOo-

UNA senatorial slate for 2013 polls complete – Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday said that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has already finalized its senatorial slate for the 2013 polls.
In an interview with reporters after he gave his speech at the Liga ng mga Barangay National Convention in Pasay City, Binay said that UNA has decided to include Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Margarita Tingting Cojuangco in its senatorial slate.
“We are including him (Escudero) in the slate,” Binay said when asked about the status of the alliance’s talks with Escudero.
Binay also noted that he was 99.9 percent sure that Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, aunt of President Benigno Aquino III, would be included in the ticket.
Cojuangco is the wife of UNA vice president and former congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.
UNA is the new coalition formed between Binay’s PDP-Laban and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
During a press conference last Monday, UNA announced that Senator Loren Legarda had accepted the party’s invitation to run as a guest candidate for the senatorial slate.
Among those who earlier made it in the slate were Senators Gregorio Honasan, San Juan Representative JV Ejercito, Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce-Enrile Jr., former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon, Zambales Rep. Milagros “Mitos’ Magsaysay and businessman Joey de Venecia.
Binay and Estrada had also said that Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares was already an “adopted candidate.”
Binay said that he was not bothered by reports that Legarda had talks with President Aquino, saying that Legarda would campaign with UNA.
“Legarda is UNA’s candidate. She will join UNA’s political activities,” Binay said.
Asked about the campaign arrangements for Escudero, Binay said that it would be like the arrangement for Llamanzares, who he had earlier described as an “exception to the rule.”
Escudero and Llamanzares had both been reported to be likely adopted by the Liberal Party (LP).
However, Binay noted that they would not force Llamanzares to join the campaign if she would not be allowed by the LP.
Llamanzares, in earlier reports, had noted that she had not yet received final instructions from Aquino.
Binay had also earlier announced that UNA candidates would be filing their certificates of candidacies on October 1, 1 p.m.

 

 

 

 

UNA NOT WORRIED OF MAR APPOINTMENT TO DILG

INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines – Whether the transfer of Secretary Manuel Roxas II to the Department of Interior and Local Government  is meant to firm up his chances in the 2016 presidential election does not worry the United Nationalists Alliance.

Former President Joseph Estrada on Saturday belittled the advantage that Roxas might have as head of the DILG, confident that Vice President Jejomar Binay would win the next presidential race.

“He beat him in the vice presidential race, so what more in the presidential race?” Estrada said in Filipino, referring to Roxas and Binay’s hotly contested political battle in the 2010 elections. “Vice President Binay has already proven himself.”

Estrada, a senior leader of UNA, noted that Binay’s trust and approval ratings were even higher than those of President Benigno Aquino III in recent surveys.

A Pulse Asia survey conducted from February 26 to March 9 this year showed Binay enjoying an 84-percent approval rating compared with that of the President, who got 70 percent. Another Pulse Asia survey two months later recorded an 81-percent trust rating for Binay and only 67 percent for Aquino.

Estrada welcomed the appointment of Roxas to replace the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Roxas headed the Department of Transportation and Communications, which will now be led by Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Estrada described Roxas as “good,” recalling the secretary’s stint as trade secretary during his administration. But Estrada said he had reservations on how Roxas would address what he called the “worsening” peace and order situation.

“Mar will be a good administrator,” he said. “My only worry is peace and order. He has no experience in that.”

As DILG boss, Roxas will supervise both the Philippine National Police and local government units. Initially during Robredo’s term, Aquino diluted his functions and tapped his shooting buddy, Undersecretary Rico Puno, to handle PNP matters.

In terms of experience, Estrada said Senator Panfilo Lacson would have been the logical choice for the DILG portfolio. He cited Lacson’s stint as PNP chief, during which the national police enjoyed relatively high approval ratings.

Representative Jerry Treñas of Iloilo acknowledged that “the biggest challenge for Secretary Mar is definitely peace and order.”

“But with his long experience in government and his excellent management skills, I am confident that we would see some immediate improvement on the country’s peace and order situation,” he said in a statement.

“Secretary Mar is an all-around troubleshooter. That’s the reason why the President appointed him in the DOTC at a time when the agency was in some sort of turmoil and now he’s appointed with the DILG because the agency needs the best of the best for this highly sensitive position,” he said.

BINAY TAKES OVER KOKO DUTIES AS PDP LABAN PRESIDENT

Vice Prsesident Jejomar Binay, Chairman of PDP Laban, took over Senator Koko Pimentel's duties as president of PDP Laban while blocking moves to oust Pimentel.

ABS-CBN NEWS

PDP-Laban insists Koko on leave as president

By Ira Pedrasa, ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 08/30/2012 7:17 PM | Updated as of 08/31/2012 8:14 AM

Binay stopped moves to oust Pimentel, says Peping

MANILA, Philippines - Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) confirmed on Thursday that Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is on leave as president of the political party following his decision to join the administration’s senatorial slate in the 2013 polls.

In a statement, PDP-Laban Secretary General Peping Cojuangco said Vice President Jejomar Binay will take-over Pimentel’s duties. He noted, however, that Pimentel will remain as the “nominal president.”

"We are thankful that (Binay) has accepted to this arrangement since Koko cannot attend to the party's commitment to UNA in the agreement with PMP which he himself signed," Cojuangco said.

He disclosed that certain officers had requested to oust Pimentel during a party meeting at the Coconut Palace last week, but Binay stopped the move.

"In fairness to the Vice President, he did not accept this suggestion and said the decision must come first from Koko," Cojuangco said.

The same officers, whom he refused to name, then requested that Binay should take over if Pimentel refuses to go on leave.

Pimentel says he's not on leave

Pimentel, however, still insists he is an active official of PDP-Laban.
In a statement posted on the Senate website also on Thursday, Pimentel denied an earlier statement made by United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) spokesman JV Bautista.

“I have not filed any leave of absence, whether verbal or written, and have no plan whatsoever to do so. No one has asked me to go on leave, except Atty. JV Bautista, who is a newcomer to the party. Even our Party Chairman Vice President Binay has not directly asked me to go on leave. I also do not feel any clamor from my party mates that I go on leave,” he said.
He even urged his party-mates to unite and find a solution “without dividing the party.”

Joey Salgado, spokesperson for the Vice President’s camp, confirmed that Binay has indeed taken over the duties of Pimentel.

He said an intermediary of Pimentel attended that luncheon meeting at the Coconut Palace, he told ABS-CBNnews.com. The intermediary went on to say that Pimentel has decided to go on leave.

In June, Pimentel decided to run for re-election without the help of the UNA after the latter included his rival former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri in its line-up.

UNA is a coalition between PDP-Laban and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. Zubiri is one of the candidates of PMP in the UNA coalition.

Cojuangco said that even without Pimentel’s active participation, PDP-Laban and UNA will be the party to beat in the 2013 elections.

"Under the leadership of our chairman Vice President Binay, we are stronger than ever and remain united and strong," Cojuangco said.

"While the Vice President remains busy with his governmental duties, he laid out clear instructions for party members to continue all efforts to make our party stronger across the nation," Cojuangco added. 

INQUIRER

Binay to take over PDP-Laban presidency despite Pimentel protestation

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

6:59 pm | Thursday, August 30th, 2012

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Vice President and HUDCC chairman Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay will assume the duties of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as president of PDP-Laban even if the latter refuses to take a leave of absence, a party official said.

The move came despite Pimentel’s insistence that he had not filed a leave of absence from the party.

PDP-Laban has coalesced  with the  newly formed  group United Alliance (UNA) but  Pimentel, who  resented the inclusion of former Senator  Juan Miguel Zubiri in the UNA senatorial ticket, decided to join the  Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket as guest candidate in 2013.

In a statement on Thursday, PDP-Laban’s secretary-general, Peping Cojuangco, said that Binay had accepted the party’s request that he take over Pimentel’ duties.

“We will leave the position as it is but (Vice President) Binay will assume the duties of Koko,” Cojuangco said.

“We are thankful that (Binay) has accepted this arrangement since Koko cannot attend to the party’s commitment to UNA in the agreement with PMP, which he himself signed.”

Cojuangco also disclosed that there were moves to oust Pimentel from the party but that the Vice President did not agree to it.

“In fairness to the Vice President, he did not accept this suggestion and said the decision must come first from Koko,” he said.

The officers then requested Binay to take over Pimentel’s duties as party president should the latter refuse to go.

“Under the leadership of our chairman Vice President Binay, we are stronger than ever and remain united and strong,” Cojuangco said.

“While the Vice President remains busy with his governmental duties, he laid out clear instructions for party members to continue all efforts to make our party stronger across the nation,” he added.

Pimentel denial

In a separate statement, however, Pimentel insisted that he had not taken a leave from the party.

“I wish to deny the statement made by the spokesperson of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Atty. JV Bautista, that I have filed a leave of absence as president of PDP Laban. Such statement has no factual and legal basis,” he said.

“I have not filed any leave of absence, whether verbal or written, and have no plan whatsoever to do so. No one has asked me to go on leave, except Atty. JV Bautista, who is a newcomer to the party.”

Even Binay, Pimentel said, had not directly asked him to go on leave.

“I also do not feel any clamor from my party mates that I go on leave,” he said. “I want to believe that Atty. JV Bautista was just making a personal suggestion when he issued that statement.”

Furthermore, the senator said, the constitution and by-laws of the party “do not give any person or group of persons the power to force an officer of the Party to go on leave.”

Pimentel then urged his party to unite and find a solution to their problems “without dividing the party.”

“Instead of wasting our time issuing baseless statements and responding to false information, we can discuss this and find common ground,” he said.

“I have been a member of the PDP Laban since 1982 and have invested my time, energy, resources, talent, sweat, tears and blood in the Party; hence, I cannot just turn my back on my responsibilities as party president…,” the senator added.

 TRIBUNE

UNA: Koko out of PDP-Laban post

Written by  Tribune
Thursday, 30 August 2012 00:00

United Nationalist Alliance spokesman JV Bautista, in a televion show, announced that Sen. Koko Pimentel is now on leave as president of the Partido Laban Democratiko (PDP) as Bautista also announced the official line-up of the UNA senatorial bets, with two new additional candidates, naming former Sen. Richard Gordon and former Ambassador to the US Ernesto Maceda.
He also said that Sen. Loren Legarda will be in the UNA slate, but that the alliance will come up with a bigger announcement in time.
With Pimentel having joined the Aquino administration Liberal Party coalition slate as a guest candidate, Pimentel is now out of the PDP-Laban coalition and that Vice President Jejomar Binay, chairman of the PDP-Laban, is now taking charge of the party.
Pimentel, however, quickly announced that he had not taken a leave of absence from the PDP-Laban and remains as the party presiudent.
But Bautista said that party leaders had asked Pimentel to take a leave of absence since a conflict of interest has arisen from the senator’s decision to join the LP coalition.
“It was the party that had  asked Senator Pimentel to take a leave as president of the party… For the moment he is not the president of PDP-Laban,” Bautista said.
Pimentel was reported to have sent a text, saying: “I have not gone on leave from PDP-Laban as there is no reason for me to do so. There is no clamor for it as I enjoy the support of the party members especially the non-politician low-key members.”
Bautista was quoted as saying, countering the Pimentel claim: “You cannot tolerate a situation where one of the leaders of UNA and then a president of PDP-Laban for that matter would run in another political party that is the the foe of the UNA senatorial slate. It is potentially disruptive of the functioning of the party. It disturbs a lot of our local members,” he said.
Bautista stressed that given the nuances of Philippine politics, and with Pimentel running for an opposite party, taking a leave would be the best move.
It will be recalled that Pimentel decided to join the LP coalition candidate because he claimed that he could not stomach the thought of being on the same stage and slate with former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri whom he claimed cheated him.
But even as he moved over to the LP coalition, Pimentel apparently fails to see the anomlous situation he is now in, due to his decision to cut off from the UNA coaltion.
As far as UNA is concerned, he cannot still be president of PDP-Laban and attend to all the political activities surrounding the party, while being a candidate of the administration party.
Pimentel found his being in the same slate with Zubiri “anomalous” but does not seem to realize that he cannot have the presidency of PDP-Laban currently with his being a candidate in the administration slate.
Pimentel claims that his PDP followers have not called on him to go on leave, but Bautista said that it is the leaders of the PDP-Laban that made the decision for him to take a leave of absence.
It is evident that Pimentel would want PDP-Laban  to campaign and vote for him, but at the same time, there would be problems on the grassroorts level of the PDP-Laban as its chairman is also a leader in UNA, with whom the PDP-Laban  has  forged a coalition.
With the official entry of two more UNA bets, this places the number of bets at 9, including Senator Legarda.
The others are Sen. Gringo Honasan, Rep. Jack Enrile, Rep. JV Ejercito, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia,  Zubiri and businessman Joey de Venecia, Gordon and Maceda.
Bautista, in the same TV program said that “Loren Legarda has already signified, very clearly, her intention (to join UNA) because she told us that she has already obtained permission from Danding Cojuangco of the (Nationalist People’s Coalition) that she’s going to run in the UNA slate,” he said.

 RAPPLER

Coup against Pimentel in Binay's party?

by Ayee Macaraig

Posted on 08/30/2012 8:48 PM  | Updated 08/30/2012 10:09 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Who is really in charge?
The question arises with contradicting statements coming from leaders of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
This week, party leaders and members issued opposing statements on the status of Sen Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as PDP-Laban president. Pimentel has announced that he is running with the rival administration slate for 2013 as guest candidate but wants to stay as head of PDP-Laban.
The PDP-Laban belongs to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), which is fielding a separate senatorial slate against the administration coalition in the 2013 elections.
Asked to clarify the issue, Binay spokesperson Joey Salgado said that the Vice President is now in charge of PDP-Laban.
Binay is chairman and one of the founders of the party, along with Pimentel’s father, former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr.
“VP is aware of a previous commitment made by Senator Koko to go on leave. My understanding is that VP will take over his duties,” Salgado said in a text message to Rappler.
In an earlier statement to ABS-CBN News, PDP-Laban Secretary General Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr also said that Binay is taking over PDP-Laban but Pimentel will stay on as “nominal president.”
“We are thankful that [VP Binay] has accepted this arrangement since Koko cannot attend to the party’s commitment to UNA in the agreement with PMP which he himself signed,” Cojuangco said.
Cojuangco was referring to UNA, the coalition between PDP-Laban and former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) for the 2013 polls. UNA calls itself the “constructive opposition” to the ruling Liberal Party.
Reacting to the announcement, Pimentel said he found it a solomonic decision for Binay to take over because the party already shifted into campaign mode. He reiterated that he is in charge simply of party matters, not campaign or coalition issues.
The conflict is rooted in Pimentel’s decision to bolt UNA in July over the inclusion of resigned Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in its senatorial slate. PMP and later on UNA decided to accept Zubiri even if Pimentel accuses him of cheating in the 2007 polls.
The statements coming from Binay and Cojuangco as well as an earlier statement from UNA Spokesperson JV Bautista directly contradict the pronouncement of Pimentel that he has not and does not plan to take a leave of absence.
Bautista announced on Tuesday, August 28, that Pimentel already went on leave.
“I do not know where that came from because in the first place, nobody talked to me. I did not file for any leave. I did not mention any intention of going on leave,” Pimentel told Rappler on Wednesday, August 29.

Pimentel overpowered?
In the same interview, Pimentel had questioned Bautista’s standing to make a major announcement for the party. The senator said he has been a party member since 1982 and invested time, energy, resources and talent for the party.
“Was that his (Bautista) personal idea? Did that come from him or did somebody tell him to say those things? If somebody told him, it means there is a plan because it’s more than one person, there must be an agenda,” said Pimentel.
The statements of the Binay camp and Cojuangco, however, show that there is already an agreement in the leadership to exclude Pimentel from party affairs. Rumors of a coup against Pimentel circulated already last week.
It seems the senator is out of the loop. Pimentel said Bautista’s announcement that he supposedly had gone on leave caught him by surprise. He only found out from party members who asked him about it via text message.
In a separate interview with Rappler on Wednesday, Bautista said that it was PDP-Laban member and Manila City Councilor Bernie Ang who told Binay that Pimentel committed to going on leave.
Bautista said Ang relayed this during a meeting of party leaders at Binay’s office at the Coconut Palace on August 23. Pimentel was not present.
The UNA spokesperson said Ang supposedly got the commitment from Pimentel in a party meeting on August 20.
“So the Vice President said, ‘If he offered [to go on leave], we will accept it.’ He approved it. VP Binay said he will take charge of the affairs of PDP-Laban, including the duties of the president,” Bautista said.
‘Party in chaos’
Pimentel admitted that his decision to bolt UNA has caused confusion in his party.
“Aaminin ko nagkakagulo nga kami sa party ngayon dahil sa sitwasyon na (I admit we’re having problems in the party because of the situation that) the party is officially in a coalition agreement and yet I cannot join the agreement because our coalition partner brought somebody into the coalition that in conscience I cannot run with.”
Pimentel said his solution was for him to inhibit himself from campaign matters but take charge of other affairs like membership and the formation of chapters.
Bautista, however, said that Pimentel’s solution is impractical and unacceptable to other party leaders.
“How can he remain as PDP-Laban president and run under a different political [alliance]? That’s totally untenable and disruptive, causing confusion,” said Bautista. – Rappler.com