UNA scrambles to complete senatorial line-up

MANILA -- The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is rushing to field a full 12-man slate in the 2013 midterm elections as it continues to convince the daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay to join the senatorial race.

UNA secretary general and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay will likely occupy the 12th slot in the UNA ticket of former President Joseph Estrada and the Vice President.

"I hope I can convince her," Tiangco said in a text message just two days before Senate hopefuls can file their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Binay's daughter occupied the 12th slot in the August 31 to September 7 Pulse Asia survey on senatorial preferences.

The Vice President earlier dismissed the poll results, saying it's "too early" for his daughter to join the senatorial race.

If the younger Binay runs and her relatives win in the 2013 elections, there will be four Binays in public service, including the Vice President, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, and Makati Representative Mar-Len Abigail Binay.

On Wednesday, three-term Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn said that former President Estrada invited him to join the UNA slate. Hagedorn, however, declined Estrada's invitation and filed his COC for senator as an independent candidate.

UNA's bets include Representatives Mitos Magsaysay (Zambales), JV Ejercito (San Juan City), and Jack Enrile (Cagayan); Senator Gringo Honasan, former Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Richard Gordon and Ernesto Maceda; presidential aunt and former Tarlac Governor Margarita "Tingting" Couangco.

The UNA candidates have already filed their candidacy papers together last Monday, October 1.

UNA will also be adopting as guest candidates Senators Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Loren Legarda, and resigned Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)