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Source: Amita Legaspi, gmanews.tv

-- The Nationalist People’s Coalition has admitted receiving feelers from several political parties for possible tie-up in the 2010 polls since last week when its supposed presidential bet, Senator Francis Escudero, left the party.

But, NPC chairman Faustino Dy has denied rumors that the party had met with any political group about the matter.

“That is not true. Wala pa kaming kinakausap (We have not talked with any party yet)," Dy told GMANews.TV in a phone interview when asked on reports that the NPC had meetings with leaders of other parties.

“They want to get us to form a coalition... They (some political parties), of course, want to get more support. Lahat naman sila nagbibigay ng feelers. Kaibigan naman natin silang lahat (They have been sending proposals. They are all our friends, anyway)," he added.

Dy said that the administration’s Lakas-Kampi, the Liberal Party, and even Senator Manuel Villar Jr’s Nacionalista Party were among those who sent feelers.

When asked if his party had sent a proposal to the NPC, the NP’s spokesperson Gilbert Remulla said, “I cannot confirm or deny that."

Talks are rife that Villar is eyeing Senator Loren Legarda, NPC’s vice presidential bet, for his running mate. The NP was tight-lipped about the rumor, but said its standard bearer is still going to choose his partner. [See: NP, NPC mum on possible Villar-Legarda tandem]

On the other hand, former Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad, LP vice president for platforms and policies and campaign manager, in a text message to GMANews.TV, said he was not aware of any sending of feelers.

“I am not privy to other efforts by individual LP members," he added.

Dy said regional consultations with the NPC members are ongoing, and are likely to windup in two weeks’ time.

“Ang susunod na gagawin namin ay nakadepende sa resulta ng consultation (Our next move will depend on the result of the consultation)," Dy said

Escudero, who was being groomed as the NPC’s standard bearer, resigned from the party last Wednesday.