Villar welcomes Comelec's OK of NP-NPC merger

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar yesterday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) recognizing the merger of NP and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).

"We're glad the Comelec made the right judgment. Kami naman talaga ay tunay na koalisyon. Sinasabi ko nga sa mga kababayan natin ay kapag sinuri n'yo ang ginagawa ng NP at NPC, makikita n'yo na kami ang tunay na oposisyon," Villar said.

Reports said Commissioner Lucenito Tagle confirmed Wednesday the approval of the merger, saying, "We already signed the resolution."

Tagle said the Comelec rejected the opposition filed by the LP because it failed to provide concrete proof that the NP-NPC merger was bogus.

"We're hoping that the LP will respect the Comelec's verdict and the fact that the NP-NPC merger is a true alliance and not for show," he said.

The NP standard-bearer has been vocal in disputing claims of rival parties, especially the LP, that the NP's partnership with NPC is a "bogus" alliance.

The Comelec, meanwhile, has yet to decide on which party to proclaim as the dominant minority party, which will be entitled to the sixth copy of the election returns (ERs) and a server showing the election results as they are transmitted.

According to Comelec, the dominant minority party status is given to the group that has the highest number of incumbent elective officials and candidates for national and local positions.

Comelec records show that LP will be fielding 5,934 candidates in the May polls while NP will be fielding 5,565 and NPC 2,373.