NPC adopts Poe, Escudero as its presidential, VP bets

The country’s second largest political party has thrown its support behind the candidacies of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.

In a press conference Monday, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) announced it will adopt Poe and Escudero as its candidates for president and vice president, respectively.

"We of the NPC wish to announce that we formally adopt Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares and Senator Francis Escudero for president and vice president, respectively," announced party president Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao.

"The tandem of Senators Poe and Escudero are the best candidates. They embody the principles we want to see in our president and vice president such as malinis, matapang masipag at matulungin," he added.

Aggabao said the decision to adopt Poe and Escudero was reached after several months of meetings and consultations with its members. About 90 percent of party stalwarts, he said, favored endorsing the two candidates.

Confident of favorable SC ruling

Although the Supreme Court has yet to hand down its verdict on the disqualification cases against Poe, Aggabao said majority of party members deemed it best for NPC to back her and Escudero's candidacies.

"In hindsight, I think it's a good idea as well that we come out with a strong endorsement of Senator Poe and Chiz," he said.

Based on what transpired during the SC's oral arguments, however, Aggabao said the party is "confident that Grace will be able to hurdle the Supreme Court case."

Should all legal impediments to Poe's candidacy be quashed, Aggabao said NPC is confident she will win the presidential race given that the latest surveys were conducted while the SC was still hearing her case.

"When the Comelec (Commission on Elections) disqualified Grace, her numbers went down. But when the TRO (temporary restraining order) came out, it went up. If you ask us what will be the effect if she's able to hurdle the SC, perhaps her poll numbers will go through the roof," he said.

"We feel if she's able to hurdle the Supreme Court [case], she will definitely own the finish line. Tapos na ang boksing," Aggabao added.

At Poe-Escudero's disposal

Aggabao added that the party’s endorsement practically means that its entire machinery is at Poe and Escudero's disposal.

Given NPC's size, the House leader said the party is confident it could virtually guarantee Poe and Escudero's victory in the coming elections.

The NPC, which was founded by businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr., has fielded a total of 4,129 candidates for various national and local positions in the upcoming elections.

"We feel very much strongly and confidently that with our size now and heft, we'll be able to support the candidacies of Senator Grace and Senator Chiz," the lawmaker said.

The NPC’s announcement ended months of speculation regarding whose presidential candidate it will carry in the May 2016 national elections.

Before choosing Poe, the NPC met with other presidential aspirants such as Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Poe and Escudero, however, are the only presidential and vice presidential candidate whom members of the party met several times before they declared their respective candidacies.

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was the only presidential contender who did not meet with party members.

Even late last year, top party officials led by Aggabao expressed their preference to support Poe’s candidacy.

Two NPC stalwarts, Senator Vicente Sotto III and Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian, are also running as part of the Poe-Escudero team's senatorial line-up.

Escudero, meanwhile, said that he and Poe will remain as independent candidates. He added that they have no intentions of eventuallhy joining the NPC.

Members to toe the line

Following NPC's endorsement of the Poe-Escudero tandem, Aggabao said party officials expect party stalwarts to "toe the line" and back their candidacies as well.

He, however, admitted that they have yet to talk about sanctions for party members who will go against the party's decision.

Aggabao said the party is also open to talks to coalesce with other political parties provided they have a common agenda.

Asked if the NPC is open to forging a coalition with LP, Aggabao said: "Well, if they’re open to supporting our candidate, why not?"

Pressed further if the party will accept politicians who will jump ship from the ruling party, the House leader said, "Any vote for Grace [will be] welcome."

Reacting to Aggabao's announcement, camps of the other presidential candidates said that not all members of the NPC will support Poe and Escudero. —ALG/KBK, GMA News