Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero stand for photos during the announcement of their bid as President and Vice President for the 2016 elections at the Club Filipino on Thursday. Poe and Escudero, the first tandem for next year’s election, promised to run as independent candidates. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday downplayed the endorsement of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) on the candidacies of Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero, saying the party’s leadership is not solid behind the two candidates.
“Kausap ko ang liderato ng NPC, at nananatiling wala silang pili sa pagkapangulo. Ito ay pili ng iilang miyembro ng NPC,” Roxas said in a chance interview in Parañaque City.
According to Roxas, at least 20 members of the NPC at the local level have expressed support to the Roxas-Robredo tandem. Roxas and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo are both running under the ruling Liberal Party (LP).
On Monday, the NPC, the second biggest political party next to the LP, adopted the Poe-Escudero tandem for the coming May polls.
It was party president, House Deputy Speaker Diorgidi Aggabao, who made the announcement at a press conference. About 90 percent of party stalwarts, he said, favored endorsing the two candidates.
But Roxas maintained that it was no party stand. “Hindi po ito party stand ng NPC. ‘Yan ang sabi sa akin ng liderato ng NPC at mga taga-NPC.”
“Hindi para sa akin ang magsalita para sa NPC. Siguro may mga leader diyan or mga kinatawan ng NPC ang pinakamabuting magsabi tungkol sa kanila,” he added.
LP spokesperson Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez earlier named Congressmen Pedro Acharon Jr. of South Cotabato and George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental as members of NPC who have expressed support for Roxas and Robredo.
“[They] have not changed their position. They continue to steadfastly express their support for them,” Gutierrez said.
Roxas and Robredo are scheduled to visit the cities of Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas Tuesday. (MNS)