Villar says NP still undecided on 2016 plans

MANILA, Philippines - Is the Nacionalista Party (NP) headed for a split? 

Sen. Cynthia Villar, whose husband, former Senate president Manuel Villar chairs the NP, said she is confused by reports that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano may run under the administration banner. 

Cayetano is reportedly being eyed as the running mate of administration bet, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Villar said the party has yet to discuss its plans for 2016, noting that at least three of their candidates have been going around and testing the waters on their chances of winning. 

She was referring to Sens. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Juan Antonio Trillanes IV and Cayetano.

“There could be a free zone for all our three bets. We are hoping that this will not happen, that they will all run and there will be a free zone,” she said.  

Villar said the decision of the three NP senators would affect its coalition with the Liberal Party (LP). 

Marcos, for his part, appealed to the public to wait for his decision.

“Don’t act on speculation… The thing is we would love to tell you exactly what would happen but we don’t know ourselves,” he said.

He refused to comment on the possibility that he would be pitted against Cayetano for the vice presidential post.

Asked about the fate of the coalition between the LP and NP, Marcos said the coalition had not been active for two years. LP and NP coalesced during the 2013 elections.

Marcos also refused to comment on reports that Cayetano is being tapped as Roxas’ running mate.  “He hasn’t proclaimed anything. Why bother with something that we don’t know would happen… and why am I answering for Senator Alan?” he said.

Option

Marcos said he is likely to come up with a decision before  the end of this month.

“My inclination right now, we are talking about higher office but of course, the senatorial race is always an option. It does not go away. That’s always part of the option,” he said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, LP vice-chairman, said a Roxas-Cayetano tandem would depend on whether LP would coalesce with NP. 

“That presupposes that there will be a coalition,” Drilon said.

He earlier called on LP president, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, to convene the national council so that the members can decide on its vice presidential candidate. Roxas should initiate the talks, he added.