Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar yesterday said the Nacionalista Party is willing to adopt Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who bolted from the United Nationalist Alliance, in the 2013 election if he wants to.

Villar, who was the guest speaker at the 45th Charter Day celebration of Cadiz City, said the Pimentel family, including former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., has always been very supportive of her husband, Senator Manuel Villar.

Pimentel quit UNA, saying he could not “in conscience”, run with former Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri under the same senatorial ticket in next year’s election. Pimentel accused Zubiri of cheating him in the 2007 poll.

UNA, composed of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino and PDP-Laban, is headed by former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Mrs. Villar said a consultation is ongoing among NP members on whether or not to coalesce with other political parties for the 2013 election.

She, however, said the NP will field four candidates in the senatorial race – re-electionist Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Rep. Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), another politician that Villar did not identify, and herself.

She said the NP is also willing to adopt Rep. Teddy Casiño (Bayan Muna), who said he is running for senator. Casiño also attended the Cadiz Charter celebration.*GPB

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