MANILA, Philippines – After 3 meetings with the prospective tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, the Nationalist People’s Coalition will now meet with another presidential candidate: Vice President Jejomar Binary
The meeting, according to the media advisory sent by Binay’s office, will be held at the NPC Clubhouse in Quezon City at 12 noon on Monday, September 7.
The NPC gave contradicting statements earlier. NPC Executive Vice President and Rizal Representative Jack Duavit earlier said there would be no further political meetings with administration standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II beyond“work matters” after their meeting last August 11.
Duavit also said there is no need to meet with Binay, as most NPC members already know him. (READ: NPC not keen on meeting with candidates other than Grace Poe)
Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of NPC founder and businessman Danding Cojuangco, earlier declared his support for Binay.
But spokesman and Quezon Representative Mark Enverga denied that the party already decided "to throw its support behind” Escudero and Poe. (READ: Despite earlier claims, NPC still open to other presidential bets.)
He added that the consecutive meetings with the two survey front runners were part of their party’s “efforts to observe due diligence in ensuring that only the best candidate will earn their party’s coveted support.”
“We already heard the platforms and programs of Sen. Poe although she is yet to make a decision on whether to run for president or not, and we believe that it's now about time that we also hear from other candidates before making our final decision,” Enverga said in a statement on Sunday, August 30.
The NPC is the second largest political party in the Philippines. It has no presidential and vice presidential candidate for 2016 but its support is coveted by aspirants in a race emerging to be one of the most unpredictable contests in recent history. – Rappler.com