MANILA -- Former allies of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has picked four candidates -- two from Team PNoy and another two from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) -- to endorse in the May midterm elections.

Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said they will support the candidacy of Team PNoy’s Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and UNA’s Nancy Binay and Senator Gringo Honasan.

The NUP was formed by congressmen who bolted the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party of former President Arroyo. It vowed support for the Aquino administration and the leadership of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in the House of Representatives.

Belmonte, also a former member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, is an honorary chairman of the NUP.

“We are confirming support for an initial four candidates who are Aquino, Cayetano, Honasan and Binay. (There will be) more to follow, maybe another four candidates,” Antonino said.

“The rest will be at the discretion of our members,” the lawmaker added.

Antonino said the other four candidates the NUP will endorse will be announced after Holy Week or by the end of the month.

The NUP is fielding 37 candidates for Congress, 15 for provincial governor, and eight for vice governor. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)