Noynoy open to LP-NP alliance in House

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac — Despite the just concluded heated presidential campaign, leading presidential candidate Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said Friday he is open to an alliance with the Nacionalista Party of fierce rival Senator Manuel Villar Jr. in the House of Representatives. In an interview with reporters here, Aquino said he sees no problem with such a prospective alliance, amid the possibility of outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo making a run for the House Speakership in the 15th Congress. "Wala namang problema basta sa ikabubuti ng bansa ... Pinasukan ko ito, handa akong magsakripisyo basta sa ikabubuti ng sambayanan, doon tayo tututok. Kung ang mungkahi ay nakabubuti sa taumbayan bakit hindi? Pero kung di makabubuti at sa interest ng isang tao o isang grupo, di tayo pwedeng makipagtulungan," Aquino said. (I have no problem with that so long as it is for the good of the country. I entered this job, I am ready to make sacrifices. If this will benefit the people, why not? But if it will benefit only one person or group, that I cannot agree.) The LP earlier said it is eyeing Quezon City Representative-elect Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as its bet for Speaker to run against Mrs. Arroyo. Belmonte was elected House Speaker in January 2001 when then Vice President Arroyo was catapulted to the presidency following a military-backed civilian uprising against President Estrada. Mrs. Arroyo’s critics have claimed she is running for congresswoman and may make a bid for prime minister if her congressional allies succeed in changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary. Meanwhile, Aquino brushed off claims he will let those who supported his presidential bid push him around once he is in office. "Sa dulo ako ang may responsibilidad, ako ang magdedesisyon at wala nang iba (The buck stops with me. I will make the decisions and no one else)," he said. Aquino also indicated his economic team is due to have a new member, who he declined to name for the moment. Aquino earlier said Corazon Soliman may join his Cabinet as social welfare secretary. — RSJ, GMANews.TV