Villar: NP is all about unity, democracy

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar said that NP is fast emerging as truly a united and democratic political organization as the campaign for the May presidential elections heats up.

"We are pleased that NP is home to people not only from diverse backgrounds but also from different ideologies. For as long as we share a common vision for the country and share a common platform, then we are OK," said Villar.

Thus, he said, a clash of opinions is fairly common among NP members.

"In the same way that peace is not merely the absence of war. Unity is not merely the absence of differences. There can be unity in diversity and we have proven that in our party," he said.

For example, he said the NP slate is composed of party-list representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza as well as Ilocos Norte Gov. Bongbong Marcos, who are on the opposite end of the socio-political spectrum.

The NP's political rivals are citing the opposing points of view of the two camps as a divisive force.

The three NP senatorial bets expressed differing views on the proposed interment of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The Ilocos Norte governor, who is the son of the late president, of course, welcomes the proposal. Ocampo and Maza, who were victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime, are opposed to it.

"NP is all about unity and democracy. We voice out our opinions and argue about them. But at the end of the day, we agree to disagree and respect each other's points of view. That is what democracy is all about," added the former Senate President.

Villar maintained that the differing views of Bongbong Marcos, Ocampo and Maza will not weaken the NP.

"They're the source of our strength. We are not elitists. We strive to be inclusive rather than exclusive," Villar said.

Sen. Loren Legarda, Villar's running mate, said the statements of Ocampo, Maza and Marcos showed that a government under Villar would be a government of national unity and democracy.