PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — THE Nacionalista Party sealed its alliance with the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan by including Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos in its senatorial lineup.
Signing the coalition agreement for NP, Sen. Manny Villar said: “Our pressing challenge is to jointly address the plague of poverty which has continued to grip majority of our people through leadership transitions.”
“I am sure that some will focus on the fact that he is the son of a former President. That is not the reason why I think he is qualified. Bongbong Marcos is an excellent leader. His sterling record as a public servant and his commitment to fight poverty are the two most important reasons why I think he will be a good legislator,” he added.
On his decision to join forces with Villar, Marcos said: “He is a simple man of humble origins with a grand vision for the country. Not only does he understand the underprivileged, he started life with so little, just like the ordinary Filipino. Ngunit naiahon niya ang sarili at pamilya sa hirap, siya rin ang makakapag-ahon sa ating bansa mula sa kahirapan, gulo, at alitan.”
Marcos shared NP’s core advocacy against poverty, emphasizing that the poor must be empowered. He said the NP-KBL alliance was anchored on their trust and confidence in the NP leader’s integrity and leadership harnessed from the latter’s own perseverance against poverty.
KBL president Vicente Millora however said Marcos’ decision to join Villar does not mean that the entire party is already with the NP.
He said the KBL has no intention of coalescing with other political parties although it has yet to declare a presidential and vice presidential candidate.
Millora however said the party will support Bongbong’s political plans.
The KBL is considering adopting as its standard bearer Sen. Francis Escudero or former Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. Escudero has yet to declare his plans.