Nacionalista Party gears up for 2007 polls

The Nacionalista Party (NP) is open to a possible coalition with the opposition Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada.

According to Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., NP president, the coalition might be possible pending final negotiations on the line-up of senatorial and local candidates for next year’s elections.

The NP, one of the country’s oldest political parties, started its preparations for the midterm elections next year amid aggressive efforts by the Arroyo administration to amend the 1987 Constitution that could possibly abolish the Senate and scrap the elections altogether.

Villar was keen on giving out details of the negotiations and confirmed he has been consulting with various political sectors, including Estrada.

He regarded the disgraced leader as a major and most influential authority in the political opposition.

"Okay naman. Normally, ako naman, kinukunsulta lahat ng aking kaibigan dito at lahat naman ng kaibigan ng mga myembro ay naghahanda, kasama na dun is Pangulong Erap (Estrada)," he said.

Villar renewed his ties with Estrada a few months ago as he courted the votes of Sen. Luisa Ejercito, and their son, Jinggoy, for the Senate presidency.

Villar went to visit the former president at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal early this year, five years after he made the historic decision as Speaker of the House of Representatives to send the impeachment complaint against Estrada to the Senate for trial.

The United Opposition, Kampi, and Aksyon Demokratiko separately sent feelers a few months ago to sit down with the NP leaders for a possible coalition in the next year’s elections.

Villar said the NP is ready for any possibilities. "Ang partido ay handa sa lahat ng bagay. Lahat possible, at napakahirap limitahan lahat sa mga nangyayari," he said.

Unfazed by the threat posed by Charter change moves, Villar declared the NP’s preparation for the May 2007 elections.

He said the next two to three months are critical for political parties because of the aggressive campaign of President Arroyo and her allies to push amendments to the Constitution for a parliamentary and unicameral form of government.

In case of a no-election scenario, Villar said the party will decide in due time once it becomes evident.

"Kailangan maliwanag na ang mga nangyayari," Villar said.

In his speech before students and youth leaders in Mandaluyong City, Villar stressed the role of the youth in building a better country.

"We have always deemed it worthwhile to regularly do something for the youth, whether in the form of a forum or a youth camp. We want to help in shaping the principles, ideologies, competencies and skills of the future leaders of the country," Villar said.