A SENIOR ranking leader of the House minority bloc yesterday said any perceived opposition presidential bet should drop from the race if he or she will only enter into a coalition with the administration.

House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep. Joel Villanueva said a true blooded and genuine opposition will not compromise the people’s interests by coalescing with the party of President Arroyo just to get backed with its so-called well-oiled political machinery.

"If the presidential bet from the opposition would coalesce with the administration, he or she should rather withdraw from the race," said Villanueva.

Villanueva explained that "being supported by the administration would cause huge in public’s pursuit of social justice after the term of President Arroyo expires."

He said "the perceived opposition presidential bets should not even entertain in their dreams the possible coalition with the administration."

Those perceived running for the presidency from the opposition are Sen. Manny Villar of Nacionalista Party (NP), Sen. Manuel Roxas of Liberal Party (LP) and Sens. Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda of the pro-largely pro-administration Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) founded by billionaire businessman and San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco who is perceived a very close associate of President Arroyo.

During the recent weekly Ayes and Nays News Forum at Quezon City, Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian, spokesman of NPC, said majority of party members will back President Arroyo for as long as the government continuously provides good programs for the public.

"Majority ng NPC, I would say, are progressive thinkers at constructive. Tayo ay naniniwala na habang maayos ang plataporma na inihahain (ng pamahalaan), susuportahan natin," said Gatchalian when asked to clarify whether the NPC is part of opposition or administration.

The NPC has an existing coalition with President Arroyo’s merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD at the House of Representatives while Escudero and Legarda are in the opposition side.

Earlier, Escudero denied the accusation of Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo that he was a bogus opposition leader, adding that he will remain as opposition candidate.

Arroyo claimed that Escudero was purportedly using back channels to inform Malacañang that his tirades were only part of media positioning and the latter was also after the administration’s well-oiled political machinery.