NPC formally adopts Poe, Escudero

MANILA, Philippines - The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) on Monday formally adopted Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Francis Escudero as bets for president and vice president, respectively.

The political party said in a statement that majority of its members chose to endorse Poe and Escudero for the May 9 elections.

"First, that their platform is anchored on inclusivity, and second, the candidates' clear intention to build on gains rather than simply accept the status quo or signal a return to old practices, or hastily and radically subject the nation to a new and unpredictable cycle devoid of continuity," the NPC said.

The NPC added that they believe that Poe and Escudero will push for sustainable development.

"In other words, these candidates most embody our party's manifesto that every Filipino is important and that every Filipino must be served equally well regardless of station or status," the political party said.

The NPC earlier formed a 15-member panel to choose the presidential candidate that it will endorse in the upcoming elections.

The panel consists of the political party's members from the Senate, the House of Representatives and local government units. NPC founder-emeritus chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. was not a part of the selection panel.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II also met with the NPC for its endorsement.

The NPC is the second largest political group in the country after the LP.

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