NPC formally endorses Lapid, Ejercito, Poe

Lito Lapid, Senator JV Ejercito and Senator Grace Poe. INQUIRER.net PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has formally endorsed to its members three senatorial candidates that it will support in the May 13 polls, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.

Gatchalian said NPC members Senator JV Ejercito and Lito Lapid, and adopted member Senator Grace Poe were introduced to the “entire NPC machinery” during a dinner on Tuesday night.

“Last night the local officials, the entire NPC machinery was here, governors, mayors and congressmen, pumunta sila dito to show their support to our NPC candidates,” Gatchalian said during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Manila.

“Ito yung tatlong in-introduce at humingi tayo sa ating NPC partners na ikampanya, dahil nakakalat tayo — we’re the second biggest party in the whole Philippines — na ikampanya sa ating mga lalawigan, sa ating mga distrito,” he added.

The senator said the political party will endorse more candidates and will come up with a slate.

“Madadagdagan yan. As we go along, we will have a formal NPC endorsement or an NPC line up,” he said.

“We will come up with a slate. I can’t say now kung mapupuno namin yung 12. But definitely, we will come up with a slate,” Gatchalian added, when asked if the NPC will come up with a slate.

Gatchalian said the support of the NPC could deliver around two million votes to their candidates, expressing confidence that it would help boost the candidates’ chances in winning a Senate seat.

“To win as senator, you need at least 13 million votes. I think, conservatively, the NPC can delivery roughly about two million votes,” he said.

“Malakas, malakas (ang tsansa). Malaking bagay yan para talagang itulak siya ng mga kapartido namin,” Gatchalian added. /je