Local NPC bets undecided on choice for president

Local bets of the National People’s Coalition (NPC) in Talisay City may find themselves at a crossroad in the choice of who will they support for the candidates for president and vice president.

Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, mayoralty candidate of NPC in Talisay, said they have yet to hear and meet their local chapter in Cebu on the NPC decision to support the tandem of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Francis Escudero.

Villarante said they may support the national candidate endorsed by the local One Cebu Party since they were assured of support by them.

Earlier this month, One Cebu Party has formally announced its support to the candidacy of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard bearer Jejomar Binay.

“We have to be practical. Kung kinsa ang mo-support sa among grupo, adto lang mi (If who will support our group, we will go with them),” he said in an interview after the city council session on Tuesday.

In a separate interview, NPC provincial chairman and Rep. Ace Durano said Villarante’s concern may be addressed since it was only two days since their national leadership has announced their support to the tandem.

“With this decision of NPC, the national leadership of the party will start working with all its members and candidates to realize the party goal of supporting to victory Sen. Grace and Sen. Chiz.

Villarante, a former member of the Liberal Party (LP) said they are willing to choose any candidate to support for the national post other than Mar Roxas.

Asked why is this, Villarante said LP has left them and choose to support instead incumbent Talisay City Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes who is seeking for reelection.

Villarante emphasized they have not yet met with the local NPC leadership for a meeting and discussion about their plans.

In Cebu province, NPC members are Villarante and his slate in Talisay City, San Fernando Antonio Canoy running for representative in the first district, Danao City

Vice Mayor Ramon “Red” Durano VI and businessman Jun Pelaez running for mayor in Lapu-Lapu City.

Except for Vice Mayor Durano, Canoy and Pelaez were also former LP members.

Pelaez, in a text message to Inquirer, said his slate in Lapu-Lapu city will support Poe and Escudero.

While Talisay City NPC slate’s support to Poe and Escudero tandem is still to be resolved, Rep. Ace and Vice Mayor Red is working out to get the support of local party Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) of the Durano clan.

Both Ace and Red are officials of Bakud and members of NPC.  Ace is the vice chairman of Bakud while Red is the secretary general.

In a text message on Tuesday, Red reiterated that the announcement of the Bakud party’s choice for president and vice president will be made before the start of the local campaign period on March 25.

“We are working on Bakud’s support for Sen. Grace and Sen. Chiz. Personally, I am for Sen. Grace and Sen. Chiz,” he told the Inquirer.