VP Binay admits talking to Lakas-CMD for possible coalition

Vice President Jejomar Binay. Photo courtesy of Binay’s official Facebook page.

MANILA — Vice President Jejomar Binay admitted on Wednesday that his group, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), is talking to Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats) for a possible coalition in the 2016 elections.

The loose talks about his camp secretly meeting with selected stalwarts of Lakas were confirmed by Binay at his launching of the 1st National Housing Summit at Sitio Lamesa, Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

He was joined by Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development.

“There are talks. That’s true,” Binay told reporters in the vernacular when asked for the confirmation of the loose talks.

He denied, however, that it would be a “kiss of death” for them as he argued that there are known candidates of Lakas who convincingly won in the the past two elections.

Most of the Lakas members are now carrying the National Unity Party (NUP) banner but have vowed to revive Lakas should the talks with UNA prospers, Binay said.

Asked by reporters about his possible running mate, he said UNA has a search committee for his possible vice president in 2016, although he admitted that the committee has only recommendatory powers and he still has the last say.

When asked if Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is in the short list, Binay said, “he is very qualified” since he is a successful local executive.

“I always say that the best training for a higher executive position is training at the local executive (level),” he stressed.