Ortega kin claims La Union to back Ilocanos Binay, Bongbong

AGOO, La Union--Citing the regionalist culture of Ilocanos, a member of La Union's Ortega clan said Vice President Jejomar Binay will once again get their vote but not his running mate, Senator Gringo Honasan.

"It's Binay-Bongbong (Marcos). Although Honasan is a good friend," Mario Ortega, a gubernatorial bet, told reporters when asked on the chances of winning in the province of the United Nationalist Alliance candidates.

"I think he (Honasan) will also be getting votes but Ilocanos are clannish. It's not because he is not a good man, because he is a good man, however, the Ilocano will always be for Ilocano," he added.

La Union had more than 430,000 registered voters in 2010.

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is from Ilocos Norte while Honasan is from the Bicol region.

Ortega said Binay's being an Ilocano--his mother is from Isabela--is a factor why La Union residents will support him.

"Definitely (it is a factor), one way or the another. You see in the areas where I campaign, I would always tell them that my president is near the color of the Ilocanos and they would smile and say, 'Binay'." They get it," he said.

He said the Ortegas have always been supporters of Marcos and they supported Binay in the 2010 vice presidential elections.

Although Ortega is running against his nephew Francisco "Pacoy" Emmanuel Ortega III, son of incumbent Governor Manuel Ortega, they were both seen at the campaign sortie and rallies of Binay in the province.

The two of them both welcomed Binay who arrived on board a chopper and they were on the stage during campaign rallies.

While Mario was outspoken of his support for Binay, the younger Ortega refused to say anything when asked by reporters.

The Ortegas have been in power for more than a century, starting with the appointment by the Americans of Joaquin Ortega as the province's first Filipino civil governor in 1901.

Asked on the support of the Ortegas, Binay said they did not talk about it.

"I think it goes without saying. Sinalubong ako noon. Pero, I'll just be honest. Hindi naman kami nakapagsalita ng pulitika, pero 'yong Ortega family, ever since, kaibigan ko 'yan. 'Yong isang Ortega, seatmate ko pa 'yon sa U.P. Kumuha ng foreign service sa Political Science," he said without mentioning names. -NB, GMA News