MANILA, Philippines?In what could signal the start of major political realignments in the 2010 polls, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago Wednesday said she would support the presidential candidacy of Sen. Manuel Villar and join his ticket if she seeks reelection.

Former Sen. Ralph Recto, who quit President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s Cabinet on Tuesday to prepare for another Senate run, is also making himself available to all political parties.

Santiago, a staunch administration ally, said Villar, who belongs to the Nacionalista Party (NP), had formally asked her to seek another term in his slate. ?I told him that I will give him priority as a manifestation of my debt of gratitude to him,? she said.

She revealed that Villar helped bankroll her campaign when she ran for president in 1992 under the People?s Reform Party (PRP), which she founded. She protested her loss to Fidel Ramos in that race but later withdrew the case.

?Gave me a lot of money?

?He gave me a lot, a whole lot of money, when I didn?t even know him. We really needed a shot in the arm at the time when we completely had no funds. So he was able to give me a running start,? she said.

Santiago was elected senator in 1995 and in 2004. She has yet to make up her mind whether to seek reelection in 2010, but said she would support Villar?s presidential candidacy.

?Well, if President Arroyo is not running?and looks like she cannot run anymore under any proposed Charter change because there?s simply no time left?then it (reelection bid) will likely be with Senator Villar?s ticket,? she said.

Santiago told reporters that there was a big chance that Recto would join Villar?s NP since they are both members of the Wednesday Club formed by Sen. Joker Arroyo.

Recto keeps options open

?(Former) Senator Recto is definite on running, he told me so. It might be a question of what party. He will be obliged to run with the administration party,? she said.

But she quickly added that ?maybe for the sake of delicadeza, (there?s an) indication that he will run under Villar?s ticket.?

?I don?t have a party yet. I will consider all options,? Recto said, when asked by phone if he would join other political parties not allied with the administration.

Opposition open

Recto ran for senator as guest candidate of the administration Team Unity ticket in 2007, but lost.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, a reelectionist, said he would gladly run with Recto under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party founded by his father, former President Joseph Estrada.

?Yes. I will welcome him,? Senator Estrada told the Inquirer after the Senate adjourned its session Wednesday.

Explaining his decision to quit his post as socioeconomic planning secretary and director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Recto said: ?You can?t run the office and run (for the Senate) at the same time.?

It would be a ?disservice to NEDA? if he would use the position to boost his chances in the 2010 polls, he said.

?NEDA is a full-time work. It?s unfair for the institution, unfair for the people (if he will continue holding on to the post),? he said.