3 UNA Senate bets glad Brillantes did not resign

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines –Three senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) are glad that Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes did not resign from his post, with barely 20 days before the May 13 elections.

In an interview here before leaving for Manila, UNA senatorial bet Nancy Binay said Brillantes’ decision to stay in his post is an “advantage” not only to all candidates but to all Filipinos.

“It’s good that he did not resign. It’s an advantage to all of us, not only to the candidates, but to the people as well. He is the one on top of the situation, he has the integrity and the election will be credible,” Binay said.

She said with only 20 days to go before the actual casting of votes, “it is crucial that the man at the helm of the Comelec is credible.”

“He has been working hard to make the election work, make it cleaner and successful. We will lose the credibility of the elections if he will resign.”

 UNA senatorial candidate Mitos Magsaysay agreed, saying it is good that Brillantes stayed as Comelec chairman.

“Better that he did not resign because there will be continuity in the government’s effort for clean and honest elections. If the result of the elections will be good, I think he will no longer resign,” Magsaysay said.

UNA senatorial candidate Ernesto Maceda said he did not expect that Brillantes would resign.

“That is such a powerful position. He has to finish his term to get his full retirement. I am glad that he did not resign because there will a lot of changes to be made if he will resign,” Maceda said.

He said he has the highest respect for Brillantes for his integrity.

In their rally here last night, UNA senatorial candidate Tingting Cojuangco received a round of applause and chanting of “Cojuangco, Cojuangco, Cojuangco,” from Zamboangenos for speaking in straight Spanish.

Cojuangco spoke in Spanish in introducing herself, her family background and the achievements of her daughters Mikee and China.

The dialect of Zamboanguenos, the “Chavacano,” is almost similar to Spanish, allowing the audience to understand Cojuangco.