Binay praying Koko, Migz will end rift

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has vowed to pray that the rift between Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and former Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri be settled.

Binay, who is visiting the Vatican to meet with Pope Benedict XVI, expressed optimism that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will have both Pimentel and Zubiri in its senatorial slate for the midterm elections next year.

The Vice President is flying to the Vatican after conveying the country’s condolences to King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud on the passing of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.         

He said he has maintained a good relationship with Pimentel, the president of his party, Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The PDP-Laban earlier coalesced with former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) to create UNA.

“I’m the chairman of PDP-Laban and he is the president. He is still with UNA,” Binay said.

He, however, admitted that he has no regular communications with Pimentel, but they recently met at the vin d’honneur in Malacañang.

Binay said he will also meet with the Filipino community in Rome.

After serving as senator for four years, Zubiri resigned, paving way for the assumption of Pimentel.

Zubiri, who earlier took his oath as a member of the PMP, was personally endorsed by Estrada to be one of UNA’s senatorial candidates for next year, but Pimentel has opposed his inclusion.