Nancy Binay gives up UNA’s top post after sibling war

MANILA, Philippines — A little over a month into her term as president of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Sen. Nancy Binay announced yesterday that she is giving up the post.

Citing “recent developments” within the party, Binay said she informed UNA secretary general JV Bautista in a letter that she is taking a leave of absence as the party’s president effective yesterday.

“With my absence, I will be focusing more on my job as a senator and put all my efforts in advancing pending legislation in the 17th Congress,” Binay said in a statement.

“As an official senatorial candidate of UNA in the 2019 national elections, I will still continue to advance UNA’s core agenda of competence and the Binay brand of service,” she added.

Binay did not elaborate on the developments, but earlier this week, UNA endorsed the candidacy of her younger sister Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay, who is seeking re-election. 

Abby is engaged in a very public feud with their brother, former mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., over Makati’s top post. 

The Binay patriarch, former vice president Jejomar Binay, previously said he would not interfere in the feud and would just let the city’s residents decide.

However, when Abby filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) last Wednesday as UNA’s official candidate, she was accompanied by her father. 

Junjun, on the other hand, was accompanied by his senator-sister, and filed his COC as a candidate of the local party Una ang Makati.

The senator previously admitted that she is closer to Junjun because they lived together for a long time.

Polio survivor seeks Navotas council seat

The disability of a 56-year-old pastor, who is a polio survivor will not stop him from going around in his wheelchair to campaign during next year’s elections in Navotas. 

Orlando Garcia was accompanied by his churchmates from the Jesus The Greatest Hope, a church he founded in Navotas in 2008, when he dropped by the local Commission on Elections for his candidacy as District 1 councilor.

Garcia said it is about time persons with disabilities like him are given a chance to serve in public office. 

“Persons with disabilities are prone to politicking. I didn’t want to join politics before, but this reality compelled me to join the race,” Garcia said.

Asked how he would launch his campaign in his district, Garcia said he would conduct house to house visits with the help of his friends.

“What motivates me most is what politicians always promise to help the poor. In my case, I have something that others don’t have,” Garcia said. – With Marc Jayson Cayabyab