No political junking in Liberal Party slate—Drilon

Senator Franklin Drilon

Senator Franklin Drilon insists that the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will endorse only senatorial candidates in the administration coalition which will leave one of the party’s members, Cagayan Rep.  Jack Enrile, in limbo.

In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Drilon said he received a clarificatory message from Batangas Rep. and NPC secretary-general Mark Llandro “Dong” Mendoza reiterating the NPC’s commitment to back the entire 12-member coalition slate it formed with the Liberal Party, Nacionalista Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Akbayan.

“I received a message from Rep. Dong Mendoza that the NPC will endorse the coalition candidates,” said Drilon in reaction to fears of junking in the P-Noy (Aquino) ticket due to its shaky foundation.

Drilon, campaign manager of the Aquino ticket, did not comment on how the NPC would treat one of its members, Enrile, who was running in the rival slate of United Nationalist Alliance.

Enrile did not reply to the Inquirer’s query.

Earlier, Valenzuela Rep. and NPC spokesperson Rex Gatchalian declared that the party would endorse all of its party members while declining to comment on the inevitability of junking a candidate in the Aquino ticket to accommodate Enrile.

“We are responsible for all our party candidates from the Senate down the ticket to municipal councilors. We will be supporting all our party candidates,” said Gatchalian.