NP DENIES COALESCING WITH NPC TO SUPPORT A 'GRACE-CHIZ' TANDEM

THE Nacionalista Party (NP) has denied reports that it is throwing its support behind the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who are said to be running for President and Vice-President in the 2016 national elections.

In a statement, the NP clarified that the media reports were devoid of basis since the party has not yet made any firm or final decision on the 2016 elections.

"The Nacionalista Party has not spoken to the Nationalist People's Coalition or any of its representatives, much less come to an agreement, on matters like supporting a common presidential and vice presidential candidates. Definitely, we have not, as a party, expressed support for any candidates for that matter. It is most prudent for the Filipino voters to be more circumspect when information like this comes out," the NP said.

Reports said a tactical alliance is looming between the NP, under former Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar, and the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), founded by Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr., to support the "Poe-Escudero" presidential and vice presidential run.

The NP said the party is still in the process of conducting meetings and studying the role it will play in the 2016 elections.

The NP also assured that it has a deep bench with several members of presidential timbre like Senators Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes IV.

"The NP is scouting from its roster and will field its own presidential and vice presidential candidates, senators, congressmen down to the last councilor. The NP has its own timetable and never in any discussion did it entertain the idea of supporting non-party member presidential and vice presidential candidates," it said.