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. 

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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.

PDP Laban Fields Nancy Binay to Complete UNA Senatorial Slate

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Secretary General Toby Tiangco today confirmed that PDP Laban's Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, will run for senate, replacing businessman Joey de Venecia who backed out last minute from the UNA slate. 

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay scored an impressive 12th to 15th place with 27.4 percent of the votes. The survey was conducted among 1,200 individuals from Aug. 31 to Sept.7.

Binay fulfilled the qualifications that UNA elders were seeking for the UNA slate, described by PDP Laban Secretary General Peping Cojuangco as "someone who would be committed to and uphold the values of the party". 

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