THE Nacionalista Party (NP) has preferred to keep quiet for the meantime in naming its chosen running mate of standard bearer Senator Manny Villar.

But NP spokesperson lawyer Adel Tamano offered hints on their chosen vice presidential candidate. He said the candidate embodies "3M" qualities, including Maganda, Matalino, and Makakalikasan.

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Because of their decision, the party has also included environmental issues as one of the main concern in their campaign.

Last week, Tamano mentioned that their party has shortlisted some candidates, including opposition Senators Loren Legarda, who is running as vice president under the Nationalist People's Coalition, and Chiz Escudero.

NP aims to announce their VP on November 15 but as this date falls on the same day that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will battle it out with Miguel Cotto, the party decided to move the proclamation to a later date.

The party's senatorial slate is also complete, said the spokesperson.

Besides Tamano, the list includes Gilbert Remulla, Ilocos Representative Bongbong Marcos, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Planning secretary Ralph Recto, and Colonel Ariel Querubin.

Other candidates will be announced together with their VP.

“Our vice president also has senatorial candidates so they will be the one to announce it. But to give you a hint, they have been in government service and they carry a high status in government," said Tamano.

Tamano also cited the importance of various governors who have jumped to their party's membership list.

Among those recruited are governors Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. of Camarines Sur, Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur, and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte.

On LP candidate

According to Tamano, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is considered to be the “biggest competitor” of NP.

“In the presidential race, we're very concerned with the numbers of Senator Noynoy. We take it as a challenge. So far, that (LP) is our biggest competitor in the coming 2010 elections.”

Noynoy, son of the late Benigno Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino, topped the most recent survey of research organization Ibon Foundation.

The survey question asked: “If elections were held today, who would you vote for?”

Aquino got 22.6 percent in the open question format and 32.2 percent in the multiple choice.

He was followed by NP's Villar with 16.31 percent in the open question and 19.32 percent in the multiple choice survey.

Other names who figured out in the top were Escudero, Legarda, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, and LP's vice presidential candidate Senator Mar Roxas. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)