Isko to take oath as UNA member

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is set to take his oath as a member of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan tomorrow morning.

The UNA is a coalition of former President Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and Vice President Jejomar Binay’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The plan of Moreno, currently a member of Sen. Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party, to join UNA was revealed by Estrada Monday night during a television interview. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will swear Moreno in.

“The group is offering a better program of governance than what is existing right now,” Moreno said on his decision to join UNA through the PMP.

Moreno said leaders of their local party, Asenso Manileño, are holding consultation meetings regarding this new development.

“These are the effects of the acts of the national leadership. In a few days or in a week’s time, there will be other political movements. I believe this is happening not only in Manila, but also in other parts of the country as elections draw nearer,” said Moreno.

Estrada has expressed his wish for Moreno to be his running mate should he make a bid for Manila’s top post next year, but there are no official talks yet on this plan.

If this happens, Mayor Alfredo Lim, who is seeking re-election, would have to look for his vice mayoral bet. Lim bolted the PMP after a “falling out” with Estrada and ran for mayor in the 2010 elections under the ruling Liberal Party.

The Commission on Elections set the filing of certificates of candidacy for senatorial and local candidates from Oct. 1 to 5.

According to a statement from the Manila City Hall, some of those interested in being Lim’s running mate are two actors, a businessman, a congressman and some councilors.