Villar-de Castro, Erap-Binay, Chiz-Loren, Noynoy-Mar, Gibo-Puno

As what we wrote a couple of weeks (or months?) ago, Vice President Noli de Castro really intends to run for re-election under the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar. Choosing Pia Cayetano or Loren are just bogeys meant to confuse the enemy.

Choosing the right running mate is most critical for Villar because this might pull his ratings down OR help him improve it. Villar is running second to Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino in the ratings game and I believe that, like Mar, his ratings have already plateau-ed. If Villar does not do anything to arrest the possible slide of his ratings, he will lose the game.

With De Castro, Villar could improve his ratings in the D class---but that is still uncertain because Erap's grassroots organizers are busy re-consolidating their forces. Erap is really busy campaigning and certainly, he'll run with Binay as his running mate.

Some sources however, say that Binay could actually end up not running AT ALL and just serve as Noynoy Aquino's campaign manager. Binay can still run for mayor of Makati or possibly given a Cabinet post should Noynoy win. It is most certain that Mar Roxas would run as Noynoy's running mate and this will be announced shortly after the Korina-Mar wedding.

(Speaking of Korina, this controversy involving her and RG cruz is not doing Mar any good. She and RG should just sit down and together resolve the problem. Don't involve management anymore since they're both guilty anyway. RG is wrong in not moderating his Facebook comments while Korina is wrong in using her influence to demand management to take a serious look on RG's after-office activities. Enuf said.)

If Binay does not run under UNO, that leaves Erap with no one. He certainly cannot get Loren off from the NPC since the Chiz Escudero-Loren Legarda tandem has already been arranged. However, this tandem is still OPEN to the possibility of merging with other "oppositionist" parties.