NPC sticking with LP coalition for 2013 elections

 MANILA, Philippines - The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is sticking with its coalition with the ruling Liberal Party (LP) for the May 2013 elections.

Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian, NPC spokesman, denied yesterday the statement of NPC Sen. Vicente Sotto III that their party was on the verge of scuttling its alliance with LP over disagreement on the “equity of the incumbent” issue.

“We want to stress that the NPC is steadfast in its coalition with the LP for the upcoming 2013 midterm elections. In fact, talks are ongoing and we are already in the process of threshing out the finer details of the framework of our alliance,” Gatchalian said.

He said one reason why the NPC entered into a coalition with LP “is that it fully supports the leadership and vision of President Aquino.”

“We believe that through this coalition, the NPC could be an effective partner of the President and his administration in bringing progress, stability and peace to the country,” he said.

He added that their party, in dealing with the LP, would protect the interest of its members.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, one of the ruling party’s leaders, said Gatchalian and Batangas Rep. Mark Mendoza assured him, upon learning of Sotto’s statement, that the NPC is not deserting the LP.

“Sen. Sotto may not be completely privy to what is going on because he is not one of the NPC officers sitting with us in the LP,” Gonzales said.

He said those negotiating for the NPC are Gatchalian, Mendoza, Tarlac Rep. Henry Cojuangco, and party chairman former Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy Jr.

Cojuangco is the brother of businessman and San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., who founded NPC in 1992.

Mendoza, son of former transportation secretary and Arroyo Cabinet member Leandro Mendoza, is the party’s secretary-general.

Gonzales said there is no disagreement between the LP and its coalition partners NPC and Nacionalista Party on the equity-of-the incumbent issue.

He said the rule giving priority to an incumbent would apply in areas where there is only one candidate belonging to any of the three parties.       

But in districts, provinces, cities, or towns where two or three of the coalition partners have their own candidates, these areas would be declared as free zones, he said.

“For instance, in Palawan, our candidate for governor is the incumbent, Baham (Abraham) Mitra. I understand that his opponent, Alvarez, is getting the NPC to endorse him. If there is no NPC or NP candidate in Palawan, then Baham is the coalition candidate,” he said.

Gonzales was referring to Manila-based businessman Jose Alvarez, whom Mitra defeated in the 2010 elections.

He said in Cavite, former governor and now Rep. Erineo Maliksi would be the ruling party’s gubernatorial candidate against incumbent Jonvic Remulla of NP.

He added that there would be many “conflict areas” that would be declared as free zones, where the three parties would fight each other.

Earlier, Gonzales said the NPC has nominated Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda and Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile to the administration coalition’s senatorial ticket.