Maceda, Gordon: UNA bets for senator?

Former Senators Ernesto Maceda and Richard Gordon are the newest senatorial bets of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Maceda himself revealed Thursday.

 

"In the last executive committee meeting, na-approve na kami ni Dick Gordon na kasama [sa slate]," Maceda told reporters during the ceremonies for the 25th anniversary of the Philippine Senate.

 

He said the UNA executive committee meeting was held last July 18.

 

But JV Bautista, spokesperson of UNA, told GMA News Online in a text message on Thursday that there is "no official announcement yet".

 

UNA has been releasing the names of its senatorial bets in batches.  They have, so far, listed San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, NBN-ZTE whistleblower Joey de Venecia, and incumbent senators Gregorio Honasan and Loren Legarda as candidates for the 2013 polls. 

 

Maceda said that with him and Gordon taking two more spots, only two slots are left.

 

He said that among the candidates being considered to fill the two last spots are Senator Francis Escudero, Vice President Jejomar Binay's daughter Nancy, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, and former Senator Kit Tatad.

 

"Hindi pa kasi maliwanag kung ano nag gagawin ni Chiz.  Kung sasama siya sa LP eh di LP siya," said Maceda, adding that UNA will not accept common candidates.

 

Escudero had earlier left it the political parties to decide if they would have him as a candidate as his preference will not be a factor. — DVM, GMA News