NPC to support Poe-Chiz tandem

MANILA, Philippines - Despite moves to disqualify Sen. Grace Poe from the presidential race, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will still support her and running mate Sen. Francis Escudero in next year’s elections.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III yesterday quoted NPC chairman Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy II and party secretary general Batangas Rep. Llandro Mendoza about the NPC’s support for the Poe-Escudero tandem.

“We are still waiting for the nationwide consensus,” Sotto said, but believes a majority of NPC members are supporting the tandem of Poe and Escudero.

NPC president Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao said he would personally support Poe and Escudero.

Aggabao made the declaration when he accompanied his wife Maria Lourdes in filing of certificate of candidacy to represent the fourth congressional district of the province.

Aggabao, on his last term as congressman, said he would allow his wife to replace him while he would join the campaign of Poe and Escudero.

The NPC is in a quandary whom to officially support between Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay in the 2016 elections.

NPC founder Eduardo Cojuangco is said to be supporting Binay who in turn had been endorsed by Isabela leaders led by the clan of former congressman Rodolfo Albano Jr.

Albano’s turf in Cabagan town is the birthplace of Binay’s mother.

Poe and Escudero, for their part, expressed support for the senatorial bid of Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno. – Raymund Catindig