MANILA, Philippines - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is grateful for the support of indigenous peoples (IP) groups in Mindanao for the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Gregorio Honasan in 2016, a party official said yesterday.
“The Vice President is elated by the support given to him and for recognizing him as a member of the IP group,” UNA secretary general JV Bautista said.
Binay’s mother, Lourdes Gatan Cabauatan, is an Ibanag from Cabagan, Isabela.
The Manobo Mamanwa tribes of Agusan del Norte also expressed their support to the tandem of Binay and Honasan.
“In behalf of the indigenous peoples of Eastern Mindanao Ethnographic Region 13 Manobo Mamanwa tribes... Caraga Regional Tribal Consultative Assembly and Mindanao Ethnographic Region IP Advisory Council...Mabuhay at congratulations sa Binay-Honasan tandem (for the) 2016 election,” Ebanta Evangelisto Morada, Sr., chairman and IP solemnizing officer of the IP Ethnographic Advisory Council, said.
UNA has endorsed Honasan as the party’s vice presidential candidate after negotiations with Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. failed.
Sources told The STAR on Tuesday the Marcos’ family is against the senator’s team-up with Binay.