UNA will be House’s constructive minority

MANILA, Philippines - Like the former ruling Liberal Party (LP), former vice president Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) will be a “constructive minority” in the House of Representatives, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said yesterday.

“Three years. That’s the life of the 17th Congress. It’s so short to waste it on wrangling and fighting. We might as well focus on the (Duterte) administration’s priority bills,” he told the Usaping Balita forum at the Serye Café’ in Quezon City.

Suarez said he would contest the position of minority leader with Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who heads the LP bloc, when the House elects its officers on Monday.

“I think I have a chance. I will not run if I don’t,” he said.

He said Binay has asked him to lead allies of the former vice president in the House.

“I took that as his blessing for me to aspire for the minority leadership,” he added.

Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, who is UNA president and who earlier announced his aspiration for the minority post, has reportedly given up his quest.

Suarez said Binay is meeting with his House allies on Saturday.

“I am hoping UNA will be solid behind me after Saturday,” he said.

He said the Binay party counts 12 congressmen as members.

Asked how he would overcome LP’s voting strength of 30 to 35 lawmakers, he said, “I hope to convince members of the LP and other parties to support me.”

He said he also expects several party-list representatives to support him.

Suarez resented the statement of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that the minority under him would be a “company union” owing to reports that he met with President Duterte last month and volunteered to be the minority leader.

“Edcel’s claim is unfair. I, along with leaders of other political parties, was invited to meet with the President to hear his legislative agenda. There were several of us there. The minority leadership was not discussed,” he said.