Sotto: NPC not considering any other coalition yet for 2022 polls

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) is not yet considering any coalition other than its coalition with the ruling PDP-Laban for the May 2022 elections.

"NPC is not considering any coalition at this point outside of our coalition in Congress with the PDP-Laban," Sotto, the highest elected member of the NPC, said.

Sotto's remark came after the creation of 1Sambayan, a coalition led by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, which aims to create a unified opposition ticket that will run against the administration's candidates.

Some names, discussed by the newly-formed group, who could possibly run as president or vice president include Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe as well as former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Carpio said 1Sambayan is open for suggestions and nominations from everyone on who will be included in their slate.

The Liberal Party, for its part, said it is open to informal talks but clarified that the party has no official stand yet for the elections.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said politics should not be discussed at this point and that the priority should be on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. — RSJ, GMA News