THE Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has yet to complete consultations on the political leaders to consider fielding for top posts in the 2022 elections, but will definitely move to make sure former veteran senators in its ranks return to the chamber, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Monday.
He acknowledged, in response to reporters’ queries, that fielding an import from another party, like Sen. Manny Pacquiao, is possible, but added that “anything is possible.”
While he does not see a problem with aligning with another party like PDP-Laban where Pacquiao is president, Sotto said that information he has from party insiders indicates “a big majority of the PDP-LABAN members are supporting Sen. Pacquiao,” despite his rift with other leaders like party chairman Alfonso Cusi, the energy secretary.
“Based on my conversation with other political friends, from the PDP-LABAN, a big majority of the PDP-LABAN members are supporting Sen. Pacquiao. As far as I know. And that’s from Sen. Pimentel down to the local officials that they have. Whether in office or not, I am told that majority supports Manny Pacquiao. I even heard friends from Cebu and political friends from Cebu that they are going to support him.”
He said he cannot say if the current leadership row in PDP Laban will lead to a split, “And I don’t know how many political supporters their vice chairman [Cusi] has. I don’t know.”
Senatoriables
In the same interview with reporters, Sotto affirmed that the NPC’s stable of veteran politicans will be considered for the party Senate slate, naming former Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito “definitely because he is a member of the NPC.”
Also mentioned in the potential lineup are former senators Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero, all comebacking senators.
As for NPC stalwart Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sotto said, as far as he knew Gatchalian will definitely run, but was uncertain if it was to seek reelection or seek higher office, as political pundits insist.
As for the NPC’s main strategy, Sotto said, “Actually, we are drafting our proposals, [our] plans. We’re looking at how strong these proposals would be to combat the problems that we have. That’s part of our decision-making.”
“If we don’t have a program and we can’t offer solutions, why else should we run? Let those who are well-prepared enter the race. Our mntality [in the party] is different. That’s we don’t say categorically that yes, we’re running or not.
“Because we’re planning also, we’re looking at the solutions [and seeing if they’re doable].”
Lacson undecided
As for Senator Panfilo Lacson, Sotto declined to speculate on his inclusion in their senatorial lineup, given Lacson’s reported plan to run for president.
“I do not want to speak for him [Lacson], alright?” the Senate President said. “I do not want to give him a suggestion unless he asks for my advice.”
Sotto added: “He [Lacson] has his own perspective on the matter, so I would not like to, at this point, I would not want to meddle in his thinking. Unless he asks me.”
The Senate leader confirmed that “a number of groups already talked to him and talked to me also.”
“That is why we are seriously considering it,” Sotto III added, but did not elaborate.
He had earlier expressed interest in running as Lacson’s vice president should the latter throw his hat into the presidential ring next year.
However, asked on Monday “what percentage” has been reached in the talks with Lacson’s camp, Sotto III declined to categorically reply on this, adding, “I think my consultative meetings, consultations would help a lot. I think that will help a lot. That will give a good pulse.”
Asked if he gave Lacson a timeline to decide, Sotto replied, partly in Filipino, “I’m not giving him. It doesn’t sound good if I say I’m giving him a deadline. It’s up to him. He would probably be deciding the same time I would. August, September. Maybe August, I would have a fairly good idea already.”
He is certain the NPC will not resort to waiting for December, and then resort to a substitution mode, in order to field a replacement for whoever filed the certificate of candidacy in October.
Alliance with Chavit
Meanwhile, besides the option of aligning with Pacquiao and PDP-Laban, the NPC, he said, has gotten a boost from its alliance over the weekend with Gov. Luis Chavit Singson, who chairs the League of Municipalities.
He earlier clarified, in an interview with DWIZ, that Singson, known as a political kingpin in Northern Luzon, had “moved” to NPC. Sotto said Singson aligned the small parties and groups under him to the NPC, an arrangement that is beneficial for both sides.
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