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Monday, November 24, 2003
UNA coalesces with Lakas-CMD
* Presidential brother-in-law, Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo says the coalition is a very big help to Arroyo's presidential bid
LOCAL political party, United Negros Alliance (UNA) agreed to continue with the coalition with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).
Gov. Joseph Marañon said the mayors of the different cities and municipalities who are members of UNA pushed for the coalition during a caucus held Saturday.
Marañon added the merger would mean they will be supporting President Arroyo's presidential bid.
But Marañon said the plan is not yet final because the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), the political party of business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco will still have a national assembly on December 5.
The governor earlier hoped that the "equity of the incumbents" would be respected in choosing the candidates.
Looking forward
As this developed, Lawyer Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, brother-in-law of President Arroyo and Lakas regional chairman, said they have been looking forward for the coalition to push through.
Iggy Arroyo said the coalition is a very big help on Arroyo's presidential bid.
"I'm happy," Arroyo said.
He added they would further discuss the arrangement with Marañon in Manila Tuesday.
He said they will also try to patch up the problem in some of areas where Lakas and UNA will have candidates running for the same position.
One of the areas is the 5th District, wherein Arroyo plans to run for Congress against incumbent Rep. Jose Apolinario Lozada, former provincial chairman of Lakas-CMD.
"We will cross the bridge when we get there but we will first patch things up on some areas," Arroyo said of his intention to run in the district.
Arroyo earlier said he is willing to run as an independent candidate in the 5th District.
Nothing to settle
On the other hand, Lozada said there is nothing to settle with Arroyo even if UNA and Lakas-CMD's coalition will push through because there is equity of the incumbent.
"(The arrangement poses) no problem with me; Arroyo is not the (Lakas) party," Lozada said.
He added that he will seek reelection in next year's election and will not push through with the plan of running for senator.
The governor earlier said they could not decide yet whether Arroyo will be the official candidate of UNA in the 5th District unless the coalition pushes through. AZA
(November 24, 2003 issue)
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