United Nationalist Alliance

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) 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.

This article is about a national party from the Philippines. For the local party from Negros Occidental, see United Negros Alliance.
United Nationalist Alliance
PresidentGregorio Honasan
ChairmanNancy Binay
Secretary-GeneralJV Bautista
FounderJejomar Binay
FoundedApril 4, 2012 (electoral alliance)
July 1, 2015 (political party)
Preceded byUnited Opposition
HeadquartersRoom 103, G/F ECJ Building, Real cor. Arzobispo Streets, Intramuros, Manila
IdeologyRight libertarianism
Liberal conservatism
Political positionCentre-right
Colors          Orange and Navy blue
SloganUNA ang Pilipino (Filipinos first)
Seats in the Senate
1 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
0 / 304
Provincial governorships
1 / 81
Provincial vice governorships
3 / 81
Provincial board members
9 / 1,023
  • Politics of Philippines
  • Political parties
  • Elections

The acronym "UNA" spells out the Filipino 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 Juan Miguel Zubiri, of whom he had won an election protest after the 2007 election.[1] On 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)

On July 1, 2015, Binay relaunched the United Nationalist Alliance as the major opposition party at the Makati Colosseum in Makati City 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.[2] Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, was touted a possible running mate, but being 37 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.[3][4]

Coalition members

Mainstream party members (Founding Party)

Current

Former
  • Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) (2012 – March 7, 2014)
  • One Cebu (1-Cebu) (2016) (switched allegiance to PDP-Laban)

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.[6]

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.[7]

On June 11, 2012, UNA formally included Zubiri in its line-up, together with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay.[8] On June 28, 2012, Pimentel officially declined his spot in the UNA line-up, citing Zubiri's continued inclusion in it.[9]

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.[10] However, Pimentel denied that he took a leave of absence from the PDP-Laban presidency.[11]

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.[12] 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."[13] On October 4, UNA announced that Binay's daughter Nancy was their 12th nominee.[14]

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.[15]

2013 election
Candidate Party Last position in government Relatives in government Elected
Nancy Binay
UNA
 No relevant political background Vice President Jejomar Binay (father), Makati mayor Elenita Binay (mother), Makati mayor Jun–Jun Binay (brother), congresswoman from Makati Abigail Binay (sister)
Tingting Cojuangco
UNA
 former 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 Ejercito
UNA
 Incumbent 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 Enrile
NPC
 Incumbent congressman from Cagayan's 1st district (since 2010) Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (father), congresswoman from Cagayan Sally Ponce Enrile (wife)
Richard J. Gordon
UNA
 former senator (2004–2010) Olongapo mayor Katherine K. Gordon (wife), Olongapo councilor John Carlos de los Reyes (nephew)
Gregorio Honasan
UNA
 Incumbent senator (since 2007) None
Ernesto Maceda
UNA
 former senator (1971–1972; 1987–1998) Manila 4th district councilor Edward VP Maceda (son)
Mitos Magsaysay
UNA
 Incumbent congresswoman from Zambales' 1st district (since 2004) Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (uncle-in-law), Zambales governor Vic Magsaysay (father-in-law)
Juan Miguel Zubiri
UNA
 former senator (2007–2011) Bukidnon vice-governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. (father), congressman from Bukidnon Jose Zubiri III (brother)

2016 election

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

2019 election
Main article: 2019 Philippine general election

Election results

2013 elections

3 out of 9 candidates won the possible 9 seats in the Senate namely: (in order of votes received)

2016 elections

1 out of 6 candidates won the possible 6 seats in the Senate namely: (in order of votes received)

2019 elections

1 out of 2 candidates won the possible 2 seats in the Senate namely: (in order of votes received)

See also

References
  1. Sy, Marvin (April 4, 2012). "From UNO to UNA, Erap, Binay unite". Philippine Star. Yahoo! Philippines News. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  2. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/513906/news/nation/una-kicks-off-party-launch-sans-erap
  3. "Binay-Marcos: Perfect combination, says UNA official". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 30, 2015.
  4. "Honasan as Binay's VP: 'I have always been a good soldier'". Rappler. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  5. "Estrada, PMP no longer part of UNA, son JV clarifies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  6. Evangelista, Kate; Burgonio, TJ (May 3, 2012). "Estrada takes a dig at Lim over Manila's plight". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  7. Clapano, Jose Rodel (May 11, 2012). "UNA bares first 5 senatorial candidates". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  8. Reyes, Fatima; Esplanada, Jerry (June 11, 2012). "Zubiri, Magsaysay, Garcia named to UNA slate; Will Pimentel leave alliance?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  9. "It's final: Koko won't run under UNA". ABS-CBN News. June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  10. Macaraig, Ayee (August 28, 2012). "Gordon, Maceda running under UNA". Rappler. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  11. Tan, Kimberly Jane (August 29, 2012). "Pimentel denies dropping PDP-Laban presidency". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  12. Clapano, Jose Rodel (October 1, 2012). "'Number One' UNA bets file COCs at 1 p.m. on Oct. 1". Philippine Star. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  13. Gil C. Cabacungan; Tarra Quismundo; Cathy C. Yamsuan (October 2, 2012). "De Venecia son quits UNA Senate slate at last minute". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  14. Reyes, Fat (October 4, 2012). "UNA names Nancy Binay as 12th senatorial candidate". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  15. "UNA drops 3 senatorial bets, says campaign manager". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
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