Genuine Opposition

Genuine Opposition logo

Genuine Opposition (GO) is the political multi-party electoral alliance of the parties' senatorial line-up for the 2007 Philippine midterm elections, which is in opposition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It was originally called the "United Opposition" (UNO), created by opposition stalwart and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on June 2005 to unite all politicians who wanted to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. UNO then reorganized itself and changed its name to Grand and Broad Coalition (GBC), with the UNO party under that coalition. On February 15, 2007 the group changed its name again to Genuine Opposition after a meeting with Senate President Manny Villar in his office in Las Piñas City.

Coalition members

Mainstream party members

Background

Genuine Opposition logo

The United Opposition Coalition was created by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay on June 2005 to unite all politicians who wished to impeach Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The UNO started scouting candidates for the Senate as early as October 2006 to claim a large share of the Senate seats. On January 2007, UNO started short-listing its nominees after a large number of interested personalities wanted to join the opposition. The UNO changed its name on February 12, 2007 at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila to "Grand and Broad Coalition" (GBC). On February 15, 2007 the group changed its named again to "Genuine Opposition" (GO) after a meeting with Senate President Manny Villar in his office in Las Piñas. GO became the opposition coalition with eight parties under its wing, including its predecessor, UNO. Though Senate President Manny Villar and Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan are running under the Opposition, they remain independent candidates as in the 2001 election. On February 28, 2007, Genuine Opposition dropped Francis Pangilinan as its adopted candidate. After the elections, GO reverted to being the United Opposition, with Binay as head, but still maintaining the support of the other parties that comprised GO.

Slogan

The first slogan is "PLAN Co REVOLT". P stands for Pimentel, L stands for Legarda, A stands for Alan and it is the first name of Cayetano, N stands for Noynoy and it is the nickname of Aquino, Co means Coseteng, R means Roco, E means Escudero, V means Villar, O means Osmena, L means Lacson, and T means Trillanes. The PLAN Co REVOLT (literally, My plan is to revolt) means "Revolt against corruption and poverty". The second slogan is "Isang boto lang po laban sa nakaupo." (literally, One vote against the incumbent.).

GO Senatorial slate

Name Party Occupation Elected
Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III LP Representative from Tarlac (1998–2007); only son of former Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino (1986–1992) and the elder brother of the actress Kris Aquino. Won
Alan Peter "Companero" S. Cayetano NP Representative from Taguig-Pateros (1998–2007); first son of late Senator Renato "Companero" Cayetano and the younger brother of current Senator Pia Cayetano (2004–2010). He is also the husband of the house representative of Taguig City-Pateros Ma. Laarni Lopez-Cayetano. Won
Anna Dominique "Nikki" Q. Coseteng Independent Former senator (1992–2001) and former Quezon City Representative (1987–1992). Lost
Francis Joseph "Chiz" G. Escudero NPC House Minority Floor Leader (2001–2007) and Representative from Sorsogon (1998–2007), Lawyer and son of former Marcos cabinet member Salvador "Sonny" Escudero III. Won
Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson UNO Senator (2001–present) and once aspired to be the mayor of Manila. He was also the former Chief of the Philippine National Police. Won
Loren B. Legarda NPC TV Personality (TV Journalist), Former 2004 Vice Presidential candidate and former Senator (1998–2004). Won
John Henry "John" / "Sonny" R. Osmena UNO Former senator (1971–1972; 1987–1995; 1998–2004). Lost
Aquilino "Koko" D.L. Pimentel III PDP-LABAN 1990 Bar Topnotcher, Lawyer, son of Senate Minority Floor Leader Senator Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. Won
Sonia M. Roco AD Widow of late Senator (1992–2001), 1998 and 2004 presidential candidate, and Education Secretary Raul Roco (2001–2002) who died in 2005. Lost
Antonio "Magdalo" F. Trillanes IV UNO Detained military officer, leader of the Magdalo group and the leader of the Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City in 2003. Won
Manuel "Manny" B. Villar Jr. NP Former Speaker of the House and Former Senate President (2006-Nov 2008) and senator (2001–present). Won

Campaign team

Election results

8 out of 11 candidates won the possible 12 seats in the Senate namely: (in order of votes received)

See also

External links

References