NPC saddened by smear campaign vs Loren

THE Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has expressed disappointment and sadness over reports that its party mate Sen. Loren Legarda has been the subject of a smear campaign by some groups and individuals who are out to pull her down for consistently topping all pre-election surveys.

Legarda, a member of NPC, has become the target of vicious attacks through text messages and the social media about her alleged inaccurate entries in her statement of assets liabilities and networth (SALN).

NPC spokesman Rep. Rex Gatchalian of the 1st District of Valenzuela city said that the act if true is totally unfair on the part of Sen. Legarda and the NPC as well, as they have given their full support and commitment to all the senatorial bets under the banner of Team PNoy.

“We are cognizant of the fact that the senatorial bets under Team Pnoy come from various parties, but nevertheless we are committed in fully supporting the coalition” Gatchalian said.

“It is unfair on the part of Sen. Legarda who has been working very hard to ensure the victory of all of her fellow Team PNoy bets, to be the subject of a purported demolition job by some personalities from her own team” he added.

Gatchalian however assured that the incident would not prevent them from continuing their full support and cooperation with the Liberal party and the leadership of President Benigno Aquino III.

“We are still fully supportive of the partnership that we forged with LP because we believe that President Aquino has nothing but good intentions to uplift the country and the people” Gatchalian pointed out.

He also expressed confidence that Sen. Legarda will top the coming senatorial elections because the electorate knows that reports about her failure to file her correct SALN were nothing but black propaganda.

“We are convinced that Sen. Legarda’s impressive track record as a legislator of good standing and impeccable commitment to public service will serve her in good stead that would propel her to the top in the coming polls” Gatchalian stressed.

Malacañang has earlier assured that the incident would not create cracks within the administration ticket.

At a recent briefing in the Palace, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda shot down rumors that Sen. Legarda was already dissatisfied with the Liberal Party-led administration team.

“We believe that Senator Legarda is a team player,” said Lacierda, when asked if the lady legislator was being vilified because she had been topping the pre-election polls.***

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Statement of Sen. Tito Sotto (NPC and Senate Majority floor leader)

“Its all part of a black prop ops vs loren by some person or group to try and get her out of the number one slot. Ive been with her in the senate for almost 9 years and she is the last person who will do something to deceive govt and the people. Well, i have bad news for those people who are doing this to her, she has gone through worse and she always pulls through because she simply is right! The people love her. They may not want her for vp or pres, but they will always vote for her as senator. They are just making us (NPC) all d more unsupportive of d coalition with NP n LP!”