Cynthia Villar: NP-LP coalition not done yet

LOON, BOHOL , Philippines – The much-touted coalition of the Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino III and the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar was not done yet, according to former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar.

Cynthia, wife of Sen. Villar, breezed into this town last Sunday to be the guest of the 70th anniversary of the successful ambush on Sept. 27, 1942 during World War II by Loon guerrillas against the Japanese forces at Moalong Pass of this town.

She was met by Loon officials, led by Mayor Lloyd Lopez and retired Brig. Gen Joseph Sevilla of the AFP, and other sectoral leaders here in short program for the event held at the public market.

Cynthia clarified to the media that both the LP and the NP were still holding meetings to finalize whether to coalesce or not for senatorial bets under NP-LP banner.

Sources of the NP earlier said that coalition in the local level could be agreed upon with some leeway for the NP leaders to decide on it with the possibility of a “free-zone” declaration for the convenience of the locals and their supporters.

Villar said she will be entering the senatorial derby, and even endorsed for the reelection of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes under the NP ticket.

Villar met with her NP stalwarts and mayors at a resort in Tagbilaran City, although it was off-limit to the media. Present in the meeting were Mayors Nicanor Tocmo of Corella town, Jose Ellorimo of Sikatuna, Jacinto Naraga of San Isidro, Norman Palacio of Bilar, Marnilou Ayuban of Alicia, Lowel Tirol of Buenavista and Miguelito Galindez of Garcia-Hernandez.

Others who came in late and failed to be with Villar were Mayors Jimmy Jimenez of Dauis town, Alvin Uy of Baclayon, Angelina Simacio of Anda and Rey Niño Boniel of Bien-Unido. All these mayors ran under the NP with then vice governor Julius Caesar Herrera who ran for governor in the last elections. — (FREEMAN)