Former Secretary Mar Roxas at the first presidential debate in Capitol University, in Cagayan de Oro City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)’s support for presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is not the collective stand of the party, former Interior Secretary and Liberal Party presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II maintained after speaking with the NPC leadership.
“That’s not the party stand of NPC. That’s what the leadership of NPC said to me,” Roxas told reporters in an ambush interview after his campaign sortie with the LP slate in Parañaque City.
Without naming a particular official, Roxas said he had recently spoken with the NPC leadership and they reiterated that they have not chosen a presidential candidate to support yet.
“Kausap ko ang liderato ng NPC, at nananatiling wala silang pili sa pagkapangulo. Ito (Poe-Escudero support) ay pili lang ng iilang miyembro ng NPC,” he said.
(I have talked to the leadership of the NPC and they still have not chosen a presidential bet. This [expression of support for Poe-Escudero reflects the backing of] only select members of the NPC.)
READ: LP ‘unfazed’ by NPC support for Poe, Escudero
Roxas said more than 20 members, mostly House representatives and governors, of the second largest political party in the country pledged support for him and vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo.
But Roxas said the reported divide in the party was not for him to explain.
“Hindi para sa akin ang magsalita para sa NPC. Siguro may mga leader diyan or mga kinatawan ng NPC ang pinakamabuting magsabi tungkol sa kanila,” he said.
(It is not up to me to speak for the NPC. There might be leaders there or representatives of the NPC who could better speak of it.)
On Monday, South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. quickly reacted on the NPC’s declaration adopting Poe and Escudero as announced by its president Giorgidi Aggabao.
Acharon said not all members of the party were consulted about the decision.
He reiterated that he will remain loyal to Roxas and Robredo. CDG
READ: Poe, Escudero finally get NPC’s endorsement