Rival camps say NPC not solidly behind Poe, Escudero

Camps of other presidential candidates on Monday downplayed the Nationalist People's Coalition's (NPC) endorsement of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.

Peter Laviña, spokesperson of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, said that not all members of the NPC will support the candidates of Poe and Escudero.

"It's their call. We were not part of their party process. We thank their members in receiving Duterte in one meeting in New Manila. However, we expect many NPC members not to go with this party decision. NPC leaders for instance in Davao del Sur and Biliran provinces already declared their lot with genuine change under Duterte," Laviña said when sought for comment on the NPC leadership's announcement that the party is adopting Poe and Escudero.

He added even without the full backing of the second largest political party in the country, they remain confident that Duterte and his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano will win the elections with their "mass of volunteers and supporters."

Mon Ilagan, spokesperson of Vice President Jejomar Binay, also said that the NPC is not solidly behind the candidates of Poe and Escudero.

"Sa NPC din may mga malalim na kaibigan si VP Binay nung siya ay naging mayor ng Makati, so hindi naman masasabi na solid ang buong NPC kahit may endorso kay Sen. Grace Poe," Ilagan told GMA News Online.

Confusion within NPC ranks?

The ruling coalition, which is pushing for the presidential bid of Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, said that there seems to be a confusion among the NPC members regarding the leadership's announcement.

"I've talked to some of Mar's supporters from NPC, and they say they had absolutely no knowledge of this 'endorsement.' Apparently, there's some confusion within their ranks," Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the ruling coalition, said in a text message.

"It might be similar to what happened in 2010, when the same group in NPC claimed that they 'endorsed' Manny Villar, only for the party to formally endorse Noynoy Aquino shortly after. We will wait for further developments," he added.

Villar was one of Aquino's opponents in the 2010 presidential race.

The camp of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is also running for president, said it will not issue a statement on the matter.

NPC president and House Deputy Speaker Giorgidi Aggabao announced that the party is endorsing Poe and Escudero because they are "the best candidates."

"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," Aggabao announced in a press conference.

"They embody the principles we want to see in our president and vice president such as malinis, matapang masipag at matulungin," he added.

During the press conference, Aggabao admitted that only 90 percent of the party's members is solidly behind Poe and Escudero. He said they are planning to reach out to the remaining 10 percent.

DS Aggabao: 90% of our members are for Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero. We plan to talk to the 10%. @dzbb

— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) February 29, 2016

Meanwhile, Poe's camp said that it will intensify its campaign even with the endorsement of the NPC.

"Senator Poe is extremely grateful to the NPC for endorsing her candidacy to become the country's next President. She believes that together, she and the thousands of NPC members nationwide can propel the country to become more inclusive and help uplift the lives of our countrymen," said Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Poe's spokesperson.

On Gutierrez’s statement, Gatchalian stressed that NPC’s endorsement was agreed on by 90 percent of its members.

“The statement of the NPC says it all. The party indicated that dialogues will be conducted with the remaining hold outs within the party. It is clear that vast majority of the party—approximately 90 percent—expressed their support for Senator Grace Poe and Senator Chiz Escudero,” he said.

Gatchalian criticized Gutierrez for casting doubt over the NPC’s support for the two senators considering he does not belong to the party.

“I think it is unfair to question the unity of the party especially since Congressman Barry is not even a party member,” he said.

Gatchalian said they are confident that the remaining 10 percent of NPC members who are not keen on backing Poe and Escudero will toe the line following their dialogue with party leaders. — Elizabeth Marcelo, Xianne Arcangel, Trisha Macas and Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ALG/RSJ, GMA News