Villar open to coalition with Lakas party in 2010
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:51:00 08/03/2008
Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Politics
MANILA, Philippines--Senate President Manuel Villar has declared himself and the Nacionalista Party (NP) he heads open to an alliance in 2010—even with the administration bloc.
"It's hard to limit our choice of partner because we have not started anything. We are not closing our door to anything," said Villar in an interview with reporters.
"We have to keep our options open because that is the only way we can establish our independence."
Linking up with the Lakas-CMD the administration coalition, was a possibility, Villar said, depending on what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would do—whether she would support one or two candidates, or not support anyone at all.
Villar said he fully expected former president Joseph Estrada, who remains popular, not to support any candidate who would join the administration party or tie up with the administration in a coalition.
"Anything is possible. President Erap is a close friend that I respect. At the right time, we will talk about this," said Villar on the possibility of fighting Estrada for the presidency in 2010.
Estrada is reportedly toying with the idea of running for president again in 2010 if the opposition fails to come up with a common candidate.
Villar ranked fifth in a recent Pulse Asia survey on presidential candidates for 2010. The survey was topped by Vice President Noli de Castro, Estrada and Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda.
But Villar conceded it was still "too early" to talk about political partnerships, saying the best time would be a year from now or the middle of 2009.
In the meantime, he said that he would focus on keeping his post as Senate President.
An attempt to replace him was foiled earlier this month. It would take 13 senators to replace him.
"These coups do come often, but I believe I have the support of my friends," he said.
Villar ran for the Senate and won on the opposition ticket but the anti-administration bloc was split on the choice of Senate President. Villar won the post with the support of the administration bloc.
|
