Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday debunked claims of perceived cracks within the Nationalist People's Coalition, with its members supporting different presidential candidates in the May elections next year.

Gatchalian, who has been a member of the NPC since 2001, said the “NPC remains to be a solid party”.

He, however, admitted that many NPC members are very vocal, while others are silent, on their preferred presidential candidates, and the party respects their individual opinions. But at the end of the day, “We expect party members to toe the line and support a single candidate”.

“I think it is an advantage for the party to be unified to support one (presidential) candidate and one coalition,” said Gatchalian, who visited state colleges and universities in Negros Oriental and Occidental during the weekend to consult students of his proposed House Bill No. 5905, also known as “Free Higher Education Act”.

There are 48 members of the House, two senators and 20 governors who are NPC members, making it the second biggest political party in the country, next only to the Liberal Party, Gatchalian, who is running for senator under NPC, said.

Negros Occidental officials, who are NPC and Love-Negros members, including Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco , have expressed their support for the presidential bid of Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who is the standard bearer of the Liberal Party.

Gatchalian said they will have another consultative meeting on Tuesday in Metro Manila, with city mayors invited to the activity.

He said they would like to personally hear the opinion of Kabankalan Mayor Isidro Zayco, NPC Negros Occidental chairman, and Vice Governor Eugenio Lacson on their preferred presidential candidate during the consultative process, as they only heard it from the media and friends.

Gatchalian said they also expect NPC founding chairman Eduardo Cojuangco to attend the consultative dialog. He has been quite active lately in meetings with several groups, to hear their opinion, he said.

Cojuangco had earlier requested some NPC solons to meet with Roxas, while other NPC members already expressed their support to Senator Grace Poe, should she decide to join the presidential race next year.

We cannot stop our members from having personal relationships with Secretary Roxas, Senator Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay or Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, as they have their own reasons why they support them, Gatchalian said.

But we expect party members to respect whatever the party decision is, he added.

On whether NPC will challenge incumbent Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon in next year's election, Gatchalian said it is a matter to be discussed by the party, in consultation with local party members.

He said they are expecting a clearer picture of NPC party stand by the end of the month.*GPB

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