MANILA, Philippines -- Politicians and aspiring public officials are still flocking to the Nationalist People's Coalition despite the departure of its expected standard bearer Sen. Francis Escudero, according the group's spokesperson.

Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said that by his rough estimate, 20 to 30 congressional candidates would soon join the NPC before the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy.

Gatchalian said this showed that the poll aspirants? decision to jump to the NPC was not anchored on any personality.

?Those interested to join are based on them wanting to join NPC. It is not based on personalities, it is based on the party. There was no precondition,? he said over the phone.

Escudero earlier shocked party mates when he announced that he was leaving the NPC, the party that had been his home for over a decade. He was expected to announce his intention to run for President, but instead lashed out with a speech saying an aspiring President could not pursue his plans if he would remain shackled, bound and gagged.

Gatchalian said that even after Escudero dropped his bombshell, the NPC administered its oath to several new members.

He added that next week, more people planning to run for seats in the House of Representatives would formally join the NPC, including retired Gen. Ricardo Dapat, who used to head the Bureau of Corrections, and Laguna provincial board member Katherine Agapay.

Gatchalian said the NPC would also draft more people to its senatorial slate, but opted to keep mum on their identities because the talks were still ongoing, as of Monday.

The NPC has also been recruiting new members in the local levels, he added.

He also said that those who had just joined the NPC when Escudero left would not leave on the account of the latest developments, and cited Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano as an example.

Susano left the administration's Lakas Kampi CMD and jumped to the NPC to pursue her ambition to be Quezon City mayor.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian also said the NPC would be open to forming an alliance with political parties for the 2010 elections, amid reports that the administration party would decide during its convention if it would be merging with the NPC.

He said it was still in the process of consulting members about the path that it would take in 2010.

?All possibilities are open, but if we will forge an alliance, it will be based on common platforms,? he said.