MANILA – Senator Loren Legarda on Thursday said being dropped as a common candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) won’t affect her relationship with the leaders of the coalition.

“Hindi magiging sagabal ang pulitika sa pagkakaibigan ko sa kanila,” she said, referring to Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former Vice President Joseph Estrada.

Legarda said she respects UNA’s decision, adding that she made it clear from the beginning that her loyalty is to the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), which has an alliance with the Liberal Party.

“Nirerespeto po natin ‘yan. Mula pa naman sa simula, alam ni Senate President Enrile, Vice President Binay at former President Estrada na ako ay NPC at hindi umaalis sa aking partido na mayroong coalition sa Liberal Party,” she told dzMM.

Legarda also said her respect for the leaders and candidates of UNA will not change despite the development.

“Ako’y nagpapasalamat na kahit sa sandaling panahon lamang ay ako ay naging guest candidate ng UNA at hindi magbabago ang aking pagtingin at respeto kay Vice President Binay, former President Estrada at Senate President Enrile at sa aking mga kaibigan sa UNA,” she said.

“At the end of the day, it is not about us politicians, it is about the people. Hindi kung saan kang entablado tutungtong, kung anong coalition ka. Madaming magagaling na kandidato sa dalawang coalition na gusto maglingkod sa taong bayan,” she added.

Aside from Legarda, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and former MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe were dropped by UNA from its senatorial slate in the May 13 elections.

Legarda and Escudero are the consistent frontrunners in the race based on the surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.