No sure presidential bet yet for NP, says Senator Villar

Nacionalista Party (NP) remains uncertain whether or not to endorse a presidential bet in 2016, according to Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Until now, Villar said the party had not decided yet whom to support in the 2016 presidential race.

Asked if NP, headed by her husband, former Sen. Manny Villar, would support a presidential bet next year, the incumbent senator on Tuesday said: “We are not yet sure.”

“It’s difficult. Even our vice presidents, they are supporting different presidents,” she said, referring to three NP members—Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—who are running for vice president next year.

Cayetano is openly supporting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, while Trillanes has declared his support for Sen. Grace Poe and Marcos is proclaimed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago as her running mate.

Unlike Poe and Santiago, who have filed their certificates of candidacy for president, Duterte filed his COC for reelection. His supporters, however, remain hopeful that he will eventually join the 2016 presidential race since substitution of candidates is allowed until December.

Senator Villar said all presidential bets had already sat down with NP but the party made no commitment to any of the candidates.

“Wala. Kasi itong aming mga vice president (None so far. It’s because our vice presidents here) … It’s a major consideration,” she said. RC