Duterte's bet for Speaker attends NPC bash with Danding, Ramon Ang

Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte's choice as next House Speaker, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez, attended a gathering of Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) last night.

The event was also attended by NPC chairman emeritus Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. and businessman Ramon S. Ang.  Cojuangco serves as chairman while Ang is president of San Miguel Corp.

In a phone interview, NPC spokesperson Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga confirmed that  attended their party's event at Diamond Residences in Makati.

"The event was purely a social event and no political matters has been discussed so far," Enverga said.

However, the Quezon Province solon noted that NPC will release its official statement regarding the "issue of House speakership" on Friday morning.

Alvarez had earlier said he is banking on the support of the NPC to form a 'super majority' coalition with Duterte's party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). The party has already coalesced with the Nacionalista Party and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats as well as a bloc of 40 party-list groups, and is set to forge an agreement with the National Unity Party.

Enverga confirmed this is a possibility. "The party is still deliberating on the possibility of of a coalition agreement with PDP-Laban," he said.

Enverga added that the NPC is willing to work with Duterte for legislative measures.

"Presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte can count on the support and cooperation of NPC in achieving his vision of development for our country," he said.

NPC counts at least 80 members in the House. —JST, GMA News