Two days before its 41st founding anniversary, the clandestine Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) endorsed the candidacy of Manuel Villar Jr, the standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the 2010 presidential elections.

The party, founded by Jose Maria Sison in 1968, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that among the four major presidential candidates in next year's polls, Villar "seems to be the most patriotic and progressive."

The CPP praised Villar for advocating the interest of Filipino businessmen, expressing sympathy for workers and peasants, and condemning human rights violations.

The party, however, doubts that Villar will win in the 2010 race against his "major political rivals who have bloodstained records of opposing the demands of the workers and peasants."

Leftist party-list representatives Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza of Gabriela are guest senatorial candidates of Villar's party.

Meanwhile, the CPP, which heads the broad revolutionary front organization, the National Democratic Front, criticized other presidential candidates.

It slighted Liberal Party standard-bearer Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III for his supposed links to the Hacienda Luisita "notoriety."

It also accused administration party bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr of being a "mad dog" of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Likewise, the party assailed former President Joseph Estrada for having a "bellicose record during his failed presidency."

According to the CPP, only the Makabayan, a coalition of progressive groups and formations, appears to promote “people’s demand for national independence and genuine democracy."

It criticized major political parties and coalitions vying for offices in the 2010 elections for allegedly "avoid(ing) or even oppos(ing) the people's demand for national independence and genuine democracy..."

The CPP added that the said groups "do not criticize and repudiate free market globalization and the US-instigated policy of terror against the people." - LBG/ARCS

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From the Nacionalista Party official website (Frequebtly Asked Questions):

 http://www.nacionalistaparty.com/faq.html

Q: Are the Nacionalistas pro-administration or opposition?

A: The Nacionalista Party is part of a coalition supportive of the present administration (of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo). However, true to its character of independence, there are members of Congress who belong to the minority, and even positions taken by its leaders which may, at times, run counter to the dictates of Malacañang.