NPC eyes alliances with other political parties for 2010

10/29/2009 | 02:07 PM


With its prospective presidential candidate out of the picture, the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) is considering a coalition with other political parties, including the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD, for the 2010 elections.

Party spokesman and Valenzuela City Rep. Rex Gatchalian said the NPC will be holding consultations with all party members soon regarding possible coalitions, as "a lot of parties have been approaching [NPC] bosses."

"We will go through the consultative process of making sure we hear out all our members," Gatchalian said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. "We want our members to be comfortable with the decision."

The NPC's initial plan to field candidates for the country's two highest posts ended after Senator Francis Escudero, whom the party had been grooming as its presidential bet, unexpectedly announced on Wednesday that he is leaving the party, purportedly to maintain his political independence. [See story: Chiz leaves NPC, defers anew announcement on 2010 plans]

Despite Escudero's decision, Senator Loren Legarda vowed to stay and pursue her bid for the vice presidency under the NPC's banner, raising speculations that the party might coalesce with either Lakas-Kampi-CMD or the Nacionalista Party.

One important factor in the NPC's decision is the fact that Legarda is firmly with the opposition, Gatchalian noted, although he stopped short of saying this might diminish the chances of NPC allying itself with Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

"Although all options are options, there are some options that are more feasible than others," said Gatchalian.He refused to elaborate.

NPC secretary general and Rizal Rep. Michael John "Jack" Duavit likewise said the party is facing several options, although he said the "easiest" would be to simply focus on building up Legarda and the party's other candidates.

"There's resistance from the varying members of the party," he said, when asked by GMA News' Arnold Clavio about the possibility of the NPC coalescing with Lakas-CMD, NP, or the Liberal Party.

On Wednesday, Lakas-Kampi president and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Escudero's decision to leave the NPC may work to the administration's advantage. He added that with the political situation still fluid, one possible result of Escudero’s decision could be a coalition between the NPC and Lakas-CMD.

“With the declaration before of the NPC that they will field a candidate with Senator Escudero, we felt that they want to be on their own. Now Senator Escudero, because of this development, may not be fielded at all," he said.

Sources said Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno had approached Legarda to become Lakas-Kampi-CMD's vice presidential candidate before he decided to withdraw from the race.

Legarda was a member of Lakas until she decided in 2004 to run as vice president of opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr.

Nacionalista Party spokesman Adel Tamano, meanwhile, was coy when asked whether Legarda is being courted to become Villar's running mate.

"Right now we have a shortlist [of vice presidential candidates]. We cannot disclose who are in that shortlist as of this time but both Loren and Chiz are leaders that would be an asset to the NP," Tamano told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.

He neither confirmed nor denied reports that NP and NPC leaders are discussing a possible coalition, simply saying, "If there are talks between NP and NPC it's very natural kasi isang partido lang 'yun noon, eh."

The NPC was founded by business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. and NP stalwarts who broke away from the party pushed for Cojuangco's presidential bid in 1992.

Gatchalian said that while Cojuangco remains a respected official of the NPC, the business tycoon will not dictate what the party's next move will be.

"He (Cojuangco) does not interfere with the day-to-day affairs of the party but we still respect him," Gatchalian said. He added that Cojuangco has said he would support whatever is the decision of NPC officials and members. - Johanna Camille Sisante and Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV


Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/175867/npc-eyes-alliances-with-other-political-parties-for-2010