MANILA, Philippines?Senator Loren Legarda is staying with the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) despite the departure of its prospective standard bearer, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, from the party.

This was relayed to reporters by Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojaungco, a party stalwart and son of NPC head Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, who received a call from Legarda Wednesday morning, a few minutes after Escudero's announcement in Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Cojuangco was being interviewed by reporters in the House of Representatives when Legarda called. He said Legarda gave him the go-signal to announce to the media that she is sticking it out with NPC.

Legarda has announced earlier that she is seeking the vice presidential post.

Cojuangco said he was surprised by Escudero's announcement. As far as he knows, there was no reason for the senator to leave the party, he said when asked.

He said he was expecting that Escudero would announce his presidential bid Wednesday at 6 p.m.

He said he plans to talk to party leaders on Escudero's case.