By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Nancy Binay thanked the Makabayan Coalition for supporting her bid for reelection in the midterm polls.
Senator Nancy Binay
(Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
Binay was one of the nine senatorial candidates officially endorsed by the coalition of progressive groups Sunday during an event in Quezon City.
"Isang karangalan po na mapabilang sa mga napiling ieendorso ng Makabayan sa 2019 Senatorial Elections, at matawag na 'Makabayang Senatoriable'. Tulad po ng mga kasama ko sa koalisyon, ako po'y kaisa sa pagsulong ng mga saligang adbokasiya ng Makabayan at ng mga kasama natin sa tunay na koalisyon ng bayan," Binay said in a statement.
(It is an honor to be included in the those endorsed by the Makabayan for the 2019 senatorial elections and be called a 'Patriotic Senatoriable'. Like my colleagues in the coalition, I am join the advocacies of the Makabayan and our colleagues in the legitimate coalition for the country.)
Binay lauded the Makabayan's initiative to unite senatorial candidates from various politicl parties.
"Our open-mindedness in cooperating with truly patriotic individuals only shows that helping the country has no political color," she added.
The Senate, Binay noted, should uphold its independence and system of checks and balances.
"I believe that the Senate should be free, independent and should act in the best interest of the people," she said.
Binay, who is running for a second term under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said she appreciated the trust and support given to her by Makabayan. The endorsement, she said, will serve as "an inspiration to further push her advocacy for the people."
"In my experience as a lawmaker in the Upper Chamber, I have been open to cooperating with various sectors to push for important advocacies and people's agenda that are principled and part of the common legislative agenda," she said in Filipino.
"We will never go wrong if we will always side with the people, and do what is best for the people," Binay said.
Aside from Binay, Makabayan is also endorsing former Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Bam Aquino, former Sen. Serge Osmena, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Congressman Erin Tanada, civic leader Samira Gutoc and former Solicitor-General Florin Hilbay.