The Nacionalista Party is reportedly planning to consolidate its forces to catapult Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the vice presidency, Politiko has learned.
With Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV failing to improve their survey rankings, the NP’s leadership is reportedly leaning towards throwing its full support behind Marcos’ candidacy to give him a considerable edge over his closest rival, Senator Francis Escudero.
The son and namesake of the late President Ferdinand Marcos has caught up with Escudero as the frontrunner in the most recent surveys on the vice presidential race.
Marcos’ lead has given the NP its best opportunity yet to inch one step closer to Malacanang since Salvador Laurel became vice president from 1986 to 1982.
Cayetano, Trillanes and Marcos are members of the NP headed by former Senate President and billionaire businessman Manny Villar.
The party earlier said it will not endorse any presidential candidate since the three senators who are running for vice president are all supporting different bets.
Cayetano is the running mate of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte while Marcos is running alongside Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Trillanes, meanwhile, is backing Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid.
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