7 UNA candidates no show in Leyte rally

BAYBAY, Leyte, Philippines – Seven senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) were a no show at the party’s grand rally here on Monday night.

An estimated 20,000 residents listened to Nancy Binay who arrived early and was the only senatorial candidate present at the rally held at the Baybay Plaza.

UNA Senate aspirants Mitos Magsaysay and Ernesto Maceda were represented by their sons Anton and Erwin, respectively.

Speaking on behalf of his father, Erwin said for the past two months since the campaign started, it was only in Baybay that he saw well-organized groups that support UNA.

“UNA is a party of the poor, of the small and of the poor Filipinos. My grandfather, Tonio Maceda, had served as superintendent of MacArthur, Leyte. My father, Manong Ernie Maceda, has been in public service for the past 54 years,” Erwin said.

He said at 78, his father could still lead the country.

For his part, Anton tried hard to imitate his mother in presenting her platform of government.

UNA senatorial candidates Jack Enrile and JV Ejercito were also in Leyte on Monday but did not come to Baybay for the grand rally.

Sources said Enrile and Ejercito did not attend the rally because they were both close to Baybay mayoral candidate Carmen Cari, who is running against Malot Galenzoga, the host of the campaign and UNA’s chairman in Baybay.

Binay said there is no issue on the absence of her fellow candidates. She said Maceda and Magsaysay attended the proclamation rally of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, while JV had problems with his helicopter that should have flown him to Baybay, and had to go back to Tacloban City.

Former senator Dick Gordon came late at 9:30 p.m. and delivered a lengthy speech.

Meanwhile, Binay advised Liberal Party (LP) candidate Risa Hontiveros to concentrate on her campaign.

She said Hontiveros should forget about her proposal for them to have a debate because the campaign is nearing its end.

“The mere fact that we were allowed by the Commission on Elections to run is we were qualified. My advise to her is to concentrate in her campaign in the Senate for us to win,” Binay said when asked if she thinks Hontiveros is using her and riding on her popularity.

She admitted having a popular father like Vice President Jejomar Binay is a big factor for her good showing in surveys.

“It’s beneficial to me and my fellow candidates in UNA. The survey showed VP Binay has strong endorsement power,” she said.