Escudero, Llamanzares considered as UNA guest candidates

GRACE Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe, and Senator Francis Escudero may be considered as guest candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for the 2013 midterm elections.

"They are being considered but we can't confirm that yet until after we make the announcement," Vice President Jejomar Binay told reporters Friday.

Also under UNA's radar is three-term Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian. Sun.Star tried to reach Gatchalian for comment but he failed to respond to text messages as of this posting.

Llamanzares, the chairperson of the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), is reportedly being eyed as well as candidate of President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party as Escudero said it's not for him to decide which party to align with.

"I think he has to decide whether to run under the LP or the UNA. But Senator Escudero is a sure winner either if he decides to run for under the LP or under the UNA,” said Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a member of UNA.

So far, the alliance formed by Binay and former President Joseph Estrada has 10 candidates in reelectionist Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Loren Legarda, San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito and former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon.

Completing the list are Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile, Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay and Joey de Venecia.

Binay said UNA will release the final 12-man slate before October 1, which is the start of the filing of certificate of candidacy for those planning to run next year. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)