Cayetano: NP still in process of deciding 2016 bets

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said that the Nacionalista Party (NP) is still in the process of deciding on its candidates for the 2016 polls despite House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr.'s recommendation for the senator to run as vice president.

The speaker earlier suggested that Cayetano run with Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II as a team for the 2016 national elections.

"I value his advice, may it be private or personal. He is one of the most effective and decent public officials in the land. He is a fierce advocate, yet always a statesman," Cayetano said on Belmonte's recommendation.

Cayetano added that the NP is open to form a coalition with the Liberal Party but noted that it is still too early to decide.

READ: Cayetano open to form alliance with other parties except UNA

"We haven’t talked about the 2016 elections so his expression of confidence in me this early is truly humbling," the senator said.

Two other senators from the NP are also reported to be eyeing to run for a higher position in next year's elections.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has confirmed that he will run as an independent vice presidential candidate while Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is yet to make his decision.