Gatchalian to take a leave from NPC — Sotto

DAVAO CITY — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is set to take a leave from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Senate President Vicente Sotto III disclosed Friday.

In an interview with reporters, Sotto, chairman of the NPC, disclosed that Gatchalian had apologized to him in a text message and clarified that “it was not his intention to offend them.”

The lawmaker maintained that he has high respects for both presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson and Sotto. Sotto is Lacson’s vice presidential running mate. 

“I’m also sad that this happened but I absolutely understand your decision,” Gatchalian told Sotto.

“It was really bound to happen with this guest candidate concept. I sincerely apologize to you and Sen. Ping if I offended you in any way. It was never my intention as I have high regard to both of you,” he added.

Gatchalian ended his text message to Sotto informing the NPC chairman that he will take a leave from the party.

“Paalam din po ako na magli-leave muna ako sa partido to give respect to the party,” he told Sotto.

(I would like to inform you that I will take a leave from the party to give respect to the party.)

GMA News Online asked Gatchalian to confirm this but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

In response to Gatchalian, Sotto said he “understands him as much as you understand us.”

On Thursday, Lacson announced that Gatchalian was already removed from their Senate slate after expressing support for another presidential and vice presidential tandem.

In a tweet, Gatchalian said he still respects Sotto and Lacson.

He also expressed his apologies for “any misunderstanding” that he may have caused.

“I have worked first hand with Sen. Lacson and SP Sotto and I have nothing but utmost respect and admiration for the two gentlemen. I have seen their dedication to serve our people and their pure love for our beloved country,” Gatchalian said.

“For this, I respect the decision of their leadership. I also apologize for any misunderstanding that I may have caused,” he added.

On Wednesday, Lacson and Sotto confirmed that they had dropped their support for the senatorial bid of former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Gatchalian and Bautista are both members of the NPC.

The two senatorial candidates were absent during the proclamation rally of Lacson and Sotto in Cavite last Tuesday, but they attended the campaign kickoff of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in Bulacan.

The Lacson and Sotto senatorial slate is now down to 13: former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, Dr. Minguita Padilla, former Makati Representative Monsour del Rosario, former Senator JV Ejercito, former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, Antique Representative Loren Legarda, Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senator Joel Villanueva, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Information and Communications Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and broadcaster Raffy Tulfo.

Lacson and Sotto said the senatorial candidates would enjoy their endorsement as long as they would not “openly” endorse other presidential and vice presidential candidates. — RSJ, GMA News