MANILA, Philippines -- The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) is capable of putting up its own slate in 2010 with Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero still being considered as its standard-bearer, a party official has said.

“We are capable. We can do it,” said Rizal Representative Michael John Duavit, secretary-general of NPC, which businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco had founded.

“But whether we will do it or not is a different matter. Madaling maglagay ng 12 kandidato [It is easy to field 12 candidates], anyone can put up a one full slate but the winnability of the candidates is another thing,” he said.

Duavit said the NPC could produce three to four fresh faces for the Senate should the party decide to form its own slate. He refused to identify them.

At this point, however, the lawmaker said everything was still fluid as the party was still talking to other groups for possible alliance.

The NPC official also clarified that Escudero was still being considered as standard-bearer of the party, aside from Senator Loren Legarda, another party member.

Born in 1969, Escudero is of legal age to run for president in 2010, Duavit said.

“He [Escudero] is qualified. He is popular compared with other candidates,” the lawmaker further said.

Aside from Escudero and Legarda, those also said to be eyeing the presidency included Senate President Manuel Villar, Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manuel “Mar” Roxas, and Richard Gordon, and Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.