NUP Wooed by 2016 Presidential Aspirants

Two presidential aspirants and a senator eyeing higher office showed up in the national convention of the 500-member National Unity Party (NUP) on Monday at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay arrived first and presented what he has achieved as former mayor of Makati City and as chairman of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns.

In his speech, Binay vowed to have constant consultation with the local government units (LGUs) to address problems in the countryside.

”There will be a regular meeting, among others,” Binay told the NUP members.

”I have a lot of things to say to you but overall, my government, if you will vote me, I have a lot of good projects, but the most important is the implementation of the programs and project and that is what I call executive ability,” he added.

After Binay, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took his turn to address the NUP delegates.

”Thank you very much for this invitation because I would be able to say that I have enjoyed the support in my political career from many individuals in this room here and also from the NUP. And for that I am very grateful, and for that I would like to thank you,” Marcos said.

Marcos, however, clarified that “I would not be making any earth-shaking announcements today.”

”As you know, this upcoming election is so complicated because we don’t know the stand of every political party,” Marcos, a member of the Nacionalista Party (NP), said.

In media interview, Marcos admitted that he has been talking to different groups, including Binay who is still looking for his vice presidential candidate.

Binay, in a separate media interview, admitted also that Marcos is one of the possible vice presidential candidates being considered by his camp.

Liberal Party’s standard-bearer Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II came last and like Binay, wooed the support of the NUP which was formed by former Lakas Kampi CMD members who bolted after internal discontent within the party.

Roxas said the economic gains and reforms that have been achieved by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III under the “Daang Matuwid” (straight path) governance were the product of hardwork.

”The future requires hardwork by those who believe that progressive future is necessary for 100 million Filipinos who wanted to live a decent life,” Roxas said.

”That’s the road of Daang Matuwid that everybody dreamed of five years ago. That’s the way we want to achieve a better future for everybody,” he added.

Roxas said he came “to ask for your support to continue the Daang Matuwid in the coming 2016.”

Roxas is set to announce his running mate on Wednesday at his residence in Balay, Cubao, Quezon City.

Senator Grace Poe, who already declared her intention to run for president, has been invited but was not able to make it due to previous commitment.

”I already met with a few leaders of the NUP a few weeks ago and I’ve presented our platform of government to the public last September 16,” Poe said in a press statement.

Poe has named Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as her running mate in the 2016 elections. (PNA) LGI/JFM