The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is barking at the wrong tree.
This was how Senator Franklin Drilon addressed reports that Team PNoy is eyeing a sweep victory in the 2013 senatorial race to support his senate presidency in the next Congress.
“I will not dignify those statements because I am not a candidate. They are barking up the wrong tree,” Drilon told reporters in a weekly press conference.
Drilon, who will reportedly replace Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, reminded UNA he is not running for re-election.
He insisted for the opposition to be more focused on presenting their platforms instead of spreading rumor to propel their campaign.
“We are more focused on presenting Team PNoy as a team, which fully supports President Aquino’s platform of good governance which in turn has resulted in an improved economy and better social and health services,” Drilon said.
“The issue is whether we are for good governance. If they say otherwise, it’s up to them as long as they spell my name correctly,” he added.
Re-electionist Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III introduced Drilon, who is serving as Team PNoy’s campaign manager, as “the next Senate President.”
This triggered a 'conspiracy theory' idea from the opposition, which alleged that a 12-0 victory will be enough to install a new senate president in the 16th president.
“For all intents and purposes, it is the members of the 16th Congress who will choose the next Senate President.” Drilon said.
“These are the issues in the campaign and the senate presidency in the 16th Congress is a question that the senators will decide upon as an independent body, since the Senate has been known for its independence by law and by tradition,” Drilon said.
“By law, the 16th Congress will have a new set of officers, both the Senate and the House will elect its officers with the new Congress council, who believers of the House and the Senate will be is a matter for each House in chair,” he added.
“Let’s just move on and instruct what the people are looking for and what this campaign is all about. And this campaign for the Team PNOY is a campaign on good governance. It’s a platform that we should carry on, until the end of the elections,” he said.