Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar says he is hopeful he can persuade Vice President Noli de Castro to become his running mate despite reports that the latter is considering going back to his old job as a broadcaster.“The truth is I have not thoroughly discussed this matter with my Kumpadreng Noli. And that is one thing that I will do before we finalize everything,” Villar told a press conference.
Villar admitted that he was still counting on Senator Loren Legarda as a prospective running mate although she has said that she is inclined right now to run under her own party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Senator Pia Cayetano is also being mentioned as a possible vice-presidential bet for the NP although she has been scoring high in the surveys as a reelectionist senator.
Villar said Legarda is acceptable to him even if she was one of the senators who were persistent in having him investigated by the Senate for alleged conflict of interest in initiating the C-5 road extension project and allocating funds for it.
But Villar would not confirm or deny whether he is engaged in talks with Legarda for their possible tandem.
He disclosed that the NP will hold a national convention by mid-November to proclaim its official presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates.
Villar clarified a Standard Today report that he is eyeing Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as runningmate despite the fact that he has already decided to team up with former President Joseph Estrada.
According to the report, his teamup with Binay may happen if Estrada is disqualified by election and court authorities from running for president for a second time.
“I will not do that to President Erap. I have high respect and admiration for Mayor Binay. He is qualified to be vice president. In fact, he is qualified to be president. But they have already announced their partnership. It is not good to hear that I am trying to lure Mayor Binay into joining me. That I deny. That is not fair,” Villar said.
Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/october/27/nation2.isx&d=2009/october/27
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