The United Nationalist Alliance has already been registered with the Commission on Elections and it is up to the poll body to decide if it will allow the use of such name, Nancy Binay-Angeles, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, said last night.

The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino headed by former President Joseph Estrada and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan of the vice president have formed the UNA in preparation for the fielding of their senatorial slate in next year's polls.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., United Negros Alliance chairman, had said earlier that his local party will file a formal protest before the COMELEC if the national coalition uses their acronym, UNA.

The United Negros Alliance has been using the UNA acronym for 12 years already, the governor said.

Binay-Angeles, who was in Bacolod City yesterday on the invitation of Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano for the blessing and opening of Felicia's at City Walk Robinsons Place, said their UNA is not an opposition party, it is supportive of President Benigno Aquino.

She said, so far, among the UNA senatorial candidates for 2012 are Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero, Representatives JV Ejercito and Jack Enrile, Jose de Venecia and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Discussions on possible UNA support for some Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party candidates for the Senate may also be conducted, she said.

Asked if she would consider running for the Senate herself, Binay-Angeles said that would depend on her father.

“I am willing to serve is there is a need…I'm keeping my options open,” she said, saying it is genetic, public service is in her blood.*CPG

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