MANILA, Philippines?Sen. Francis Escudero?s decision to abandon his presidential bid has left his party, the Nationalist People?s Coalition, in limbo.

According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Escudero?s announcement last Monday that he was not running for president or any national position in 2010 was a ?surprise? to the NPC leadership and members.

With no standard-bearer in 2010, the NPC is ?at a loss? on how it will be able to field candidates for national positions, said Durano who is planning to run for the Senate.

He said Escudero?s withdrawal has made it difficult for the NPC senatorial aspirants to find allies or slots in other parties.

?Where will we go? It will be hard for us,? he said, noting that other parties have more or less filled up their senatorial slates.

?We are still awaiting for the decision of the party? on what alliances it would make with other parties, Durano said.

The party could choose to support any of the presidential candidates or ?it can be a free for all,? he said.

But Durano said the party ?respected? Escudero?s decision to leave the race. ?We understand. You should not force somebody to run,? he said.

Escudero left the NPC a few weeks ago, but was still included in the NPC?s choice of candidates to support in 2010.

Durano said he himself would decide whether or not he should pursue his plan to run for the Senate in the next few days.

Aside from Durano, the NPC said it would be fielding entertainer and ex-senator and Tito Sotto and former Rep. Rodolfo Plaza in the Senate race.