United Nationalist Alliance Explained

United Nationalist Alliance
Colorcode:
  1. FE4D00
Chairman:Nancy Binay
President:Jejomar Binay
Secretary General:JV Bautista
Slogan:UNA ang Pilipino (Filipinos first)
Founder:Jejomar Binay
Joseph Estrada
Foundation:April 4, 2012 (electoral alliance)
July 1, 2015 (political party)
Predecessor:United Opposition
Colors: Orange and Navy blue
Headquarters:Room 103, G/F ECJ Building, Real cor. Arzobispo Streets, Intramuros, Manila
Ideology:Paternalistic conservatism
Position:Centre-right[1]

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA; in Tagalog pronounced as /ʊna/) is a political party in the Philippines. It was created as a multi-party electoral alliance replacing the former United Opposition (UNO) coalition for the 2013 midterm elections, before it was launched as a single political party on July 1, 2015, by Jejomar Binay for his candidacy in the 2016 presidential election.

The acronym "UNA" spells out the Filipino-Spanish word for "first".

History

Formation, 2013 elections (2012–2015)

The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), headed by former president Joseph Estrada, and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban), headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, signed a coalition agreement on April 4, 2012, for the 2013 elections, forming the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). The two parties had been partners in the United Opposition in the 2007 election, and Estrada and Binay were running mates during the 2010 presidential election. Aquilino Pimentel III, PDP–Laban president, has stated that the UNA's senatorial slate is now more than twelve members and is being trimmed down; he had also expressed reservations on the inclusion of Migz Zubiri, of whom he had won an election protest after the 2007 election.[2] In March 2014, Binay resign as Chairman of PDP–Laban, as result the PMP party the only primary party of UNA banner.

Binay's presidential bid (2015–2016)

See main article: Jejomar Binay presidential campaign, 2016. On July 1, 2015, Binay relaunched the United Nationalist Alliance as the major opposition party at the Makati Coliseum in Makati days after he resigned from the Cabinet of President Noynoy Aquino, despite the absence of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada which become neutral due to Sen. Grace Poe possible presidential bid.[3] Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, was touted a possible running mate, but being 36 years old at that time, he was barred by the Philippine constitution's age requirement of 40 years. Senator Bongbong Marcos was then considered to be his running mate before settling with Senator Gregorio Honasan, who is also the party's vice president.[4] [5]

Coalition members

Affiliated local parties

Former

Former affiliated local parties

Despite the similarity in names, the local party United Negros Alliance from Negros Occidental is not related nor affiliated to the party.

Senatorial candidates

On May 3, 2012, Zubiri took an oath to become a member of the PMP; Estrada and Binay were optimistic that Pimentel and Zubiri will be able to reconcile their differences prior to the start of the campaign.[7]

On May 10, 2012, UNA announced its first five senatorial candidates: re-electionist Sens. Aquilino Pimentel III and Gregorio Honasan, Representatives Jack Enrile and JV Ejercito, and 2010 senatorial candidate Joey de Venecia.[8]

On June 11, 2012, UNA formally included Zubiri in its line-up, together with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay.[9] On June 28, 2012, Pimentel officially declined his spot in the UNA line-up, citing Zubiri's continued inclusion in it.[10]

The UNA announced on August that former senators Dick Gordon and Ernesto Maceda were a part of their ticket, and that Senator Loren Legarda would be one of the last three candidates yet to be named in their ticket. UNA spokesperson JV Bautista also said that Pimentel has taken a leave of absence as PDP–Laban's presidency, and that PDP–Laban will not be in Pimentel's certificate of nomination as the latter is running under the Liberal Party.[11] However, Pimentel denied that he took a leave of absence from the PDP–Laban presidency.[12]

On the first day of filing of certificates of candidacies, senatorial nominees of UNA filed theirs at the Commission on Elections national offices at Intramuros.[13] Joey de Venecia withdrew from the election as he cited his business endeavors as reasons for his withdrawal; speculation was rife when Lorenzo Tañada III was one of the persons considered to fill in de Venecia's slot in the ticket, but Binay disclosed that Tañada was not in their choices "any more."[14] On October 4, UNA announced that Binay's daughter Nancy was their 12th nominee.[15]

On February 21, 2013, UNA dropped Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda and Grace Poe from their senatorial slate as a result of their non-attendance in their political rallies.[16]

2013 election

CandidatePartyLast position in governmentRelatives in governmentElected
Nancy BinayNo relevant political backgroundVice President Jejomar Binay (father), Makati mayor Elenita Binay (mother), Makati mayor Jun–Jun Binay (brother), congresswoman from Makati Abigail Binay (sister)
Tingting Cojuangcoformer governor of Tarlac (1992–1998)Congressman from Tarlac Jose Cojuangco Jr. (husband), congressman from Tarlac Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. (cousin), President Benigno Aquino III (nephew), National Youth Commission chairman Bam Aquino (nephew), former Senator Robert Jaworski (brother-in-law), former Pasig Rep. Robert Jaworski Jr. (son-in-law)
JV EjercitoIncumbent congressman from San Juan's lone district (since 2010)President Joseph Estrada (father), San Juan mayor Guia Gomez (mother), Senator Jinggoy Estrada (half-brother), Laguna Governor ER Ejercito (cousin)
Jack EnrileIncumbent congressman from Cagayan's 1st district (since 2010)Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (father), congresswoman from Cagayan Sally Ponce Enrile (wife)
Dick Gordonformer senator (2004–2010)Olongapo mayor Katherine K. Gordon (wife), Olongapo councilor John Carlos de los Reyes (nephew)
Gregorio HonasanIncumbent senator (since 2007)None
Ernesto Macedaformer senator (1971–1972; 1987–1998)Manila 4th district councilor Edward VP Maceda (son)
Mitos MagsaysayIncumbent congresswoman from Zambales' 1st district (since 2004)Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (uncle-in-law), Zambales governor Vic Magsaysay (father-in-law)
Migz Zubiriformer senator (2007–2011)Bukidnon vice-governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. (father), congressman from Bukidnon Jose Zubiri III (brother)

2016 election

See main article: 2016 Philippine general election. President

Jejomar Binay (Lost)
Vice-president: Gregorio Honasan (Lost)
Senate Candidates

2019 election

See main article: 2019 Philippine general election.

2022 election

See main article: 2022 Philippine general election.

Electoral performance

Presidential and vice presidential elections

YearPresidential electionVice presidential election
CandidateVote shareResultCandidateVote shareResult
2016Jejomar BinayRodrigo Duterte
(PDP–Laban)
Gregorio HonasanLeni Robredo
(Liberal)
2022NoneBongbong Marcos
(PFP)
NoneSara Duterte
(Lakas-CMD)

Legislative elections

Congress of the Philippines
House of RepresentativesSenate
YearSeats wonResultYearSeats wonTicketResult
2013Liberal Party plurality2013United Nationalist AllianceTeam PNoy win 9/12 seats
2016Liberal Party plurality2016Single party ticketKoalisyon ng Daang Matuwid win 7/12 seats
2019PDP–Laban plurality2019Single party ticketHugpong ng Pagbabago win 9/12 seats
2022PDP–Laban plurality2022Single party ticketUniTeam win 6/12 seats

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Who to Vote For? Get To Know the Political Parties in the Philippines . Macaraeg . Pauline . January 27, 2019 . Esquiremag.ph . August 19, 2022.
  2. News: From UNO to UNA, Erap, Binay unite . Marvin . Sy . Philippine Star. Yahoo! Philippines News . April 4, 2012 . April 5, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406121327/http://ph.news.yahoo.com/uno-una-erap-binay-unite-160000213.html . April 6, 2012 . dead .
  3. Web site: UNA kicks off party launch sans Erap.
  4. News: Binay-Marcos: Perfect combination, says UNA official. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 30, 2015.
  5. News: Honasan as Binay's VP: 'I have always been a good soldier'. Rappler. November 26, 2015.
  6. News: Estrada, PMP no longer part of UNA, son JV clarifies . Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 1, 2015. July 2, 2015.
  7. News: Estrada takes a dig at Lim over Manila's plight . Kate . Evangelista . TJ . Burgonio . Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 3, 2012 . May 3, 2012.
  8. News: UNA bares first 5 senatorial candidates. The Philippine Star. May 11, 2012. May 15, 2012. Jose Rodel. Clapano.
  9. News: Zubiri, Magsaysay, Garcia named to UNA slate; Will Pimentel leave alliance?. Fatima. Reyes. Jerry. Esplanada. Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 11, 2012 . June 28, 2012.
  10. News: It's final: Koko won't run under UNA. ABS-CBN News. June 28, 2012 . June 28, 2012.
  11. News: Gordon, Maceda running under UNA . Ayee . Macaraig. Rappler. August 28, 2012 . September 19, 2012.
  12. News: Pimentel denies dropping PDP–Laban presidency . Kimberly Jane . Tan . GMA News. August 29, 2012 . September 19, 2012.
  13. News: 'Number One' UNA bets file COCs at 1 p.m. on Oct. 1 . Jose Rodel . Clapano . The Philippine Star. October 1, 2012 . October 4, 2012.
  14. News: De Venecia son quits UNA Senate slate at last minute . Gil C. Cabacungan . Tarra Quismundo . Cathy C. Yamsuan . Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 2, 2012 . October 4, 2012.
  15. News: UNA names Nancy Binay as 12th senatorial candidate . Fat . Reyes . Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 4, 2012 . October 4, 2012.
  16. News: UNA drops 3 senatorial bets, says campaign manager . Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 21, 2013 . February 21, 2013.