The Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manuel Villar Jr. has welcomed Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal’s announcement she would join the presidential race in next year’s elections.

Madrigal is so far the third senator who formally announced their plan to seek the presidency in May 2010. Villar and Sen. Manuel Roxas II are among those who have previously disclosed their bid for the presidency.

“The NP welcomes the entry of Sen. Jamby (Madrigal) in the presidential race. She will continue the tradition of independent presidential aspirants who dream of becoming president,” NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla said in a statement.

“She now joins the ranks of Eddie Gil and Atty. Ely Pamatong in making the Philippine elections a colorful democratic practice,” Remulla said.

Madrigal’s candidacy, Remulla said also served to vindicate Villar from the allegations hurled against him by Madrigal.

Madrigal is a staunch critic of Villar, having filed an ethics complaint against him for his alleged involvement in the P200-million double-insertion fund for the C-5 road extension project in Parañaque City.

“Her declaration is also a vindication for Sen. Villar. We have said all along that the C-5 issue is politically motivated. The candidacy of Sen. Madrigal confirms that,” the statement said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. also welcomed Madrigal’s decision but wondered how Madrigal would eventually launch her presidential campaign.

“(That’s a) good announcement! But under what party will she run?” Pimentel said in a text message.

Pimentel said it is likely that Madrigal would pursue an independent campaign in her presidential bid considering political parties already have their hands full.

“Jojo (Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay) is PDP (Partido Demokrating Pilipino), Villar is NP, Mar Roxas is LP (Liberal Party) and Chiz and Loren (Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda) are NPC (Nationalist Peoples Coalition). So baka independent siya,” Pimentel said.

Aside from Legarda, Escudero, and Binay, other perceived presidential candidates include Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando and Vice President Noli de Castro.