MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) The opposition party Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), led by Ilocos Norte Representative (2nd District) Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. sealed an alliance with the Nacionalista Party (NP) Friday.

Similar to a traditional wedding in the north, Marcos, only son of the late president Ferdinand Marcos, gave NP standard-bearer Senator Manuel Villar a salakot, a native headwear, after the formal signing of the agreement forging the alliance at the NP headquarters in Laurel House in Mandaluyong City.

In a brief speech, Marcos, who is seeking a senatorial seat in 2010, likened the alliance to a ?wedding.?

?When couples are asked about their wedding, all of them remember where they were married, all of them will remember when they were married, but if you ask further, sometimes, they have forgotten why they have married. This marriage that we are watching today we may forget when it happened, where it happened, but always rest assured we will not forget why this marriage happened,? Marcos said.

?We have great belief in Senator Manny Villar and we have great belief that he has the solutions to the problems our country faces, and so this is simply on the basis of who we believe can bring prosperity back to our country, who will bring progress back to our country, who will bring leadership and vision to Malacañang,? he said when asked why they chose to ally with the NP and not with other opposition parties.

Marcos said that the alliance was formed based on the advocacy of solving the social problems of the Philippines.

?The joining of forces of the two parties is historic. The KBL was formed with a dream for an orderly Philippine society while the NP was formed by our forefathers to strengthen democracy in the Philippines,? said Marcos in Filipino.

In response, Villar said that he decided to have Marcos under his slate for his qualifications and advocacy.

?His early record as a public servant and his commitment to fight poverty are the two most important reasons why I think he will be a good legislator,? Villar said.

Villar also noted that the late former president Marcos was also a member of the NP when he won the presidential seat in 1966.

Asked if he could guarantee the NP the votes of the ?solid north,? Marcos said the leadership of the northern Luzon provinces was with him.

Marcos? sister Imee, a former congresswoman and KBL secretary-general, said that the upcoming 2010 polls "should no longer involve those who passed away, but should focus on the candidates themselves, according to their qualifications and fitness for public office."

When asked in a chance interview if she was referring to survey leader Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III of the Liberal Party, Imee Marcos said that the statement was not referring to any candidate.

She said that she expected more candidates and parties to join the NP, saying that it is the "season of frogs."

"There will be more who will join. Politics at this stage is in chaos because there are a lot of frogs who are expected to jump from one party to another,? she added.