Senator Loren Legarda, who was expected to be named as Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s vice president, both of whom were expected to run under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) will no longer join the race for the 2010 polls.

This was gathered yesterday as Legarda told reporters that, after seeing all the destruction wrought by Typhoon “Ondoy,” she is no longer interested in running for a higher seat, and prefers to focus on legislative work and environmental measures, saying that perhaps it is better not to be a candidate and instead spend the campaign money on humanitarian help.

With Legarda quitting the race, Chiz Escudero, who is expected to be named the NPC’s standard bearer, will have to start looking for another running mate.

The NPC also yesterday postponed a scheduled political gathering scheduled for today meant to announce its bets for 2010 due to the calamity that struck Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

This is the second time that the NPC has canceled the event. The first was scheduled on Sept. 23 due to unavailability of some key figures in the party.

Gatchalian said the money that is supposed to be spent for the gathering would instead be given to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.