Binay eyes NPC support in presidential bid

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay is hoping the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will support his presidential candidacy.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Pangasinan on Friday, Binay said his party, the United Nationalist Alliance, is seeking the support of the NPC.

“In politics, every vote, every support is needed,” he said. “Hopefully, at the end of the day, we will be with NPC in the upcoming elections.”

During his visit to Pangasinan, Binay said he is supporting the gubernatorial bid of former representative and NPC stalwart Mark Cojuangco.

Cojuangco said he is also supporting Binay, but it is a personal and not a party decision.

NPC members at the House of Representatives are currently allied with the ruling Liberal Party, which has declared resigned Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as its presidential bet.

Earlier, reports said the NPC is looking into the possibility of supporting the candidacy of Sens. Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, for president and vice president, respectively.

Poe, who was included in the administration ticket in the 2013 elections, has yet to announce her plans for 2016.

Following reports on the possible support of NPC for Poe and Escudero, several of its members, such as Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, who has declared his intention to run for the Senate, has distanced himself from Binay.

NPC-NP alliance?

On reports of a possible alliance between the NPC and the Nacionalista Party, also a member of the administration bloc in Congress, NP stalwart Sen. Cynthia Villar, denied the report.

Among the reported possible running mate of Binay is NP member Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Binay said when asked about the possibility of running with Marcos.

Two other NP members, Sens. Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano, have expressed their intention to run for higher office.