Koko Pimentel opposes running alongside Zubiri

This early, an issue has cropped up within the newly formed coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA): Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III does not want to run alongside former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri in the 2013 midterm polls.

 

UNA, a coalition between Vice President Jejomar Binay's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), will reportedly field Pimentel, Zubiri, San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, former senators Kit Tatad and Ernesto Maceda, and incumbent Senators Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, and defeated senatorial bet Joey De Venecia in the 2013 senatorial elections.

 

UNA is also inviting former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, and Senators Gregorio Honasan and Alan Peter Cayetano to run under the coalition.

 

But in an interview aired over GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Tuesday, Pimentel said he does not wish to be on the same slate as Zubiri.

 

"Si Migz Zubiri is the person who deprived the party, not only me, with reprsentation in the Senate for 4 long years... mahirap yata na you know nasa platform ng PDP-Laban na malinis na eleksyon and yet, we will be sharing the stage with somebody although not yet charged with electoral sabotage, was definitely the beneficiary of a massive electoral fraud," he said.

 

 

 

In the same television report, Zubiri asked Pimentel to "move on" from the past.

 

"Sana po kay Sen. Koko Pimentel, mag-move na po tayo sa bangungot na nangyari. Hindi naman po natin kasalanan yan, tayo ay biktima ng masamang sistemang halalan dito sa ating bansa," he said. All praises for Migz

 

But Binay seems to be all praises for the former senator.

 

"Lalo kong nakilala yung pagkatao ni Sen. Migz kasi mahal ng tao, at in his first term in the Senate he was already I think a majority floor leader," Binay said in another interview.

 

Under their previous coalition–United Opposition (UNO)–PMP president Estrada ran for President and PDP-Laban chair Binay for vice president in the 2010 elections.

 

The ruling Liberal Party (LP) earlier said it was not threatened by UNA.

 

But in the television report, LP spokesperson House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said they are not closing their doors for any coalition with UNA or any other party.

 

"If they want later on to also coalesce with the Liberal Party or [if] any other political party would like to join with the Liberal Party in a coalition for the 2013 elections, as long as they espouse the reform agenda of the president, then they may be considered," Tañada said.

 

Among those who may run under LP in the 2013 senatorial race are Tañada, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, and Customs deputy commissioner Danilo Lim.

 

The LP said it will finalize its plans for the 2013 polls by June or July. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News