MANILA, Philippines--Former Senator Serge Osmeña remains with the People's Coalition slate of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III despite his "strong reservations" over the inclusion of former Socio-Economic Secretary Ralph Recto into the ticket, Aquino said Wednesday night.

Aquino disclosed that in his meeting with Osmeña Monday night, the latter expressed "strong reservations about a new candidate in the slate."

"I have yet to talk to Serge again but I hope that he continues in our slate. I will always reserve a slot for him," Aquino said over the phone.

"I believe that at this point, we're still together," he said.

Aquino said Recto was already part of the slate though the latter has yet to formalize his entry probably next week.

Aquino refused to say how he would resolve the problem but said he would continue to hold a dialogue with Osmeña to address the issue.

A reliable source in the Aquino camp told INQUIRER.net that Osmeña was threatening to leave the group if Recto would be part of the slate.

"The coalition of Noynoy-Mar (Roxas) promises new politics and much higher standards of behavior. How can they accept someone who is pro-GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)?" said the source quoting Osmeña.

The former senator, the source said, also pointed to Recto's failure to expose or resist the alleged corrupt activities of the President and his being the main proponent of the "most painful tax measure,?? the expanded valued-added tax.

The source said Osmeña felt that he would be a "hypocrite to stand on the same stage throughout the campaign" and ask the people to vote for Recto.

Osmeña could not be reached for comment.