Lacson, who met with Sotto in Bacolod City on Tuesday, April 19, said it is a rare occasion where the party again has a candidate for a higher position.
Also attending the meeting with Sotto were Mayors Renato Gustilo of San Carlos City, Melecio Yap of Escalante City, Pedro Zayco of Kabankalan City, Gina Montilla Lizares of Sipalay City, Nicholas Yulo of Bago City, Enrique Miravalles of Valladolid, Paul Alvarez of Ilog town, John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan and Congressmen Gerardo Valmayor of the First District and Genaro Alvarez Jr. of the Sixth District.
For the presidential candidates, Lacson earlier said that NPC declared a “free zone” or they can choose whoever they want.
In fact, Sotto, in a media interview following the meeting, said the party decided to maintain a “free zone” for the presidential race.
“There were party members who committed earlier to different candidates and it was difficult for us to have one single candidate,” he said.
NPC is also supporting senatorial candidates Joseph Victor Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Francis Escudero, and Manny Piñol, who are all card-bearing members of the party.
As far as the vice presidential race is concerned, the mandate of the party is to support him, Sotto said, although he stressed that there is no need for any formal declaration or manifesto of support.
Sotto expressed confidence that NPC members in Negros Occidental will support him.
“I don’t think most members of the NPC in Negros Occidental will not follow the party’s mandate. I am confident that they will,” he added. (With reports from EPN)