Poe, Escudero see NPC endorsement as 'big boost' in campaign

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe and her running mate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday admitted that the endorsement of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) will be a "big boost" to their campaign for the upcoming elections.

The NPC, the second largest political group in the country, has formally adopted Poe and Escudero as bets for president and vice president, respectively.

"With the NPC announcement, it is a big push and boost for our candidacies because we will have presence in many provinces wherein there are NPC officials or candidates," Escudero said.

Escudero noted that some have been belittling their candidacy due to the lack of political party supporting them.

Poe said that the support of the NPC will be through logistics on their campaign sorties in every province.

"What they can help is through their presence in various provinces because it would more easy for us to organize if there are candidates in a particular area who would assist in the organization," Poe said.

The presidential bet also expressed her admiration for the decision of the political party to endorse her despite the disqualification cases filed against her.

"I think the NPC became firm on its decision not based on the impending SC decision but on what is right. On what they think is right on platforms of government," the presidential aspirant said.

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However, Poe and Escudero maintained that they will remain independent despite being endorsed by the NPC.

"We maintain our independence because we ourselves do not belong to a particular party but of course, we welcome the support as long as they support us and realized that we have also our plans that we will push for," Poe said.

In 2010, the NPC supported the presidential bid of then Sen. Benigno Aquino III. The party was split between then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004.