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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party, said he may meet with Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) stalwarts to negotiate a coalition for the 2010 national elections.

"Klaro naman ang posisyon namin na parehong baligtad sa administration (The NPC and LP have clear and similar positions against the administration)," Aquino told reporters on Wednesday, adding that the two parties have been allies in the past.

He said he may talk to his uncle, business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, Jr. the chairman emeritus of the NPC, about a possible coalition.

Aquino revealed the possibility of a coalition between the two parties the same day Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero bolted the party. Escudero was supposed to be the presidential candidate of the NPC.

Aquino said it will not be the first time for him to talk with Cojuangco about politics. He said he had met with his uncle before he ran for senator in 2007, but did not disclose what the meeting was about.

"Matagal na kaming hindi nag-usap. Noong bago pa yata [2007] senatorial elections kami huling nag-usap," he said.

Next to Lakas-Kampi-CMD, the NPC holds the most number of seats in the House of Representatives.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD said in a press briefing in Malacañang that they are now entertaining the idea of entering into an alliance with the NPC after Escudero's resignation from the party.

Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, however, immediately junked the possibility of the NPC entering into a coalition with the administration party, which is pushing his cousin, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, for the presidency in 2010.

The NPC said at a press conference on Wednesday that Sen. Loren Legarda will remain its vice-presidential candidate.

All options open

Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian, NPC spokesman, meanwhile told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda on Thursday that the party is open to all possibilities as they struggle to reorganize after Escudero's sudden resignation.

"All options are open. Lahat puwede naming i-entertain," Gatchalian said, adding that they will consult with their local leaders and ask them which political party should they coalesce with for the 2010 national elections.

He added that they party may support another party's presidential candidate or join the upcoming elections without a presidential candidate.

Gatchalian clarified that the party would be looking for a presidential candidate who has a platform of governance similar to Legarda's.