United Nationalist Alliance

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA [ʊna]) is a political party in the Philippines. It was created as a multi-party electoral alliance replacing the former United Opposition (UNO) coalition for the 2013 midterm elections, before it was launched as a single political party on July 1, 2015, by Jejomar Binay for his candidacy in the 2016 presidential election.

The acronym "UNA" spells out the Filipino-Spanish word for "first".

The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), headed by former president Joseph Estrada, and the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban), headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, signed a coalition agreement on April 4, 2012, for the 2013 elections, forming the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). The two parties had been partners in the United Opposition in the 2007 election, and Estrada and Binay were running mates during the 2010 presidential election. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP–Laban president, has stated that the UNA's senatorial slate is now more than twelve members and is being trimmed down; he had also expressed reservations on the inclusion of Migz Zubiri, of whom he had won an election protest after the 2007 election.^[3] In March 2014, Binay resigned as Chairman of PDP–Laban, as a result the PMP party was the only primary party of UNA banner.

On July 1, 2015, Binay relaunched the United Nationalist Alliance as the major opposition party at the Makati Coliseum in Makati days after he resigned from the Cabinet of President Noynoy Aquino, despite the absence of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada which become neutral due to Senator Grace Poe possible presidential bid.^[4] Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, was touted a possible running mate, but being 36 years old at that time, he was barred by the Philippine constitution's age requirement of 40 years. Senator Bongbong Marcos was then considered to be his running mate before settling with Senator Gregorio Honasan, who is also the party's vice president.^[5][6]

In April 2018, Nancy Binay took leave of absence as party president due to family conflict for the upcoming elections in the 2019 for Makati mayorship, as she will support former Mayor Junjun Binay, who is running for mayor with a temporary alliance named UNA ang Makati (Makati First). ^[7]Junjun Binay will face his sister incumbent Mayor Abby Binay, who stayed under the UNA banner, which includes their father as a congressional candidate.^[8]

Party leader Jejomar Binay attempted to run for Senate elections in 2022 under the slate of Panfilo Lacson, but lost.^[9] Due to infighting between former Marikina Mayor and Congressman Bayani Fernando and incumbent Mayor Marcy Teodoro inside of Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) that resulted the latter's ouster,^[10] Teodoro and his allies migrated to UNA.^[11]

• Asenso Manileño (Progress for Manilans) – Manila (switched allegiance to National Unity Party)
• One Cebu (2016) (switched allegiance to PDP–Laban)
• Padayon Pilipino (Filipinos Ahead) – Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro
• Partido Magdiwang (Magdiwang Party) – San Juan (switched allegiance to PDP–Laban)
• Partido Navoteño (Party of the People of Navotas) – Navotas
• People's Champ Movement – Sarangani
• Team Casimiro – Las Piñas
• Timpuyog ti Baguio (Baguio Alliance) – Baguio
• Timawa – Iloilo City
• Padayon Pilipino (PDP) – Cagayan de Oro
• Ugyon Kita Capiz (UK CAPIZ) – Capiz
• Abyan Ilonggo – Iloilo
• Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP) – Bukidnon
• Alliance of Parties for Progress – Zamboanga del Norte
• Biskeg – Pangasinan
• Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (BALANE) – Nueva Ecija
• KAMBILAN – Pampanga
• Partido Magdalo – Cavite (switched allegiance to PDP-Laban)
• Team Crisologo (formerly Team Un1ty) – Quezon City (District 1)
• Dr. Lito Roxas: Team Dr. Roxas – Pasay
• Makatizens United Party – Makati (switched allegiance to Nationalist People's Coalition)

Despite the similarity in names, the local party United Negros Alliance from Negros Occidental is not related nor affiliated to the party.

On May 3, 2012, Zubiri took an oath to become a member of the PMP; Estrada and Binay were optimistic that Pimentel and Zubiri will be able to reconcile their differences prior to the start of the campaign.^[13]

On May 10, 2012, UNA announced its first five senatorial candidates: re-electionist Sens. Aquilino Pimentel III and Gregorio Honasan, Representatives Jack Enrile and JV Ejercito, and 2010 senatorial candidate Joey de Venecia.^[14]

On June 11, 2012, UNA formally included Zubiri in its line-up, together with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay.^[15] On June 28, 2012, Pimentel officially declined his spot in the UNA line-up, citing Zubiri's continued inclusion in it.^[16]

The UNA announced on August that former senators Dick Gordon and Ernesto Maceda were a part of their ticket, and that Senator Loren Legarda would be one of the last three candidates yet to be named in their ticket. UNA spokesperson JV Bautista also said that Pimentel has taken a leave of absence as PDP–Laban's presidency, and that PDP–Laban will not be in Pimentel's certificate of nomination as the latter is running under the Liberal Party.^[17] However, Pimentel denied that he took a leave of absence from the PDP–Laban presidency.^[18]

On the first day of filing of certificates of candidacies, senatorial nominees of UNA filed theirs at the Commission on Elections national offices at Intramuros.^[19] Joey de Venecia withdrew from the election as he cited his business endeavors as reasons for his withdrawal; speculation was rife when Lorenzo Tañada III was one of the persons considered to fill in de Venecia's slot in the ticket, but Binay disclosed that Tañada was not in their choices "any more."^[20] On October 4, UNA announced that Binay's daughter Nancy was their 12th nominee.^[21]

On February 21, 2013, UNA dropped Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda and Grace Poe from their senatorial slate as a result of their non-attendance in their political rallies.^[22]

President: Jejomar Binay (Lost)
Vice-president: Gregorio Honasan (Lost)
Senate Candidates:

• Jacel Kiram (Lost)
• Alma Moreno Lacsamana (Lost)
• Rey Langit (Lost)
• Allan Montaño (Lost)
• Getulio Napeñas (Lost)
• Manny Pacquiao (Won)

• Nancy Binay (Won)
• Dan Roleda (Lost)

• Jejomar Binay (Lost)

• Sa UNA, gaganda ang buhay (2013–2015)^[1]
• UNA ang Pilipino (2015–present)

• Genuine Opposition
• Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino
• Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino
• Puwersa ng Masa
• Team PNoy
• Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid
• Partido Galing at Puso

• United Nationalist Alliance on Twitter