The spokesman of the Nacionalista Party said on Wednesday that the recent results showing Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III leading a Social Weather Station (SWS) survey by a huge margin among the 2010 presidential aspirants, is a clear indication that next year’s elections will be tightly contested.

But Atty. Adel Tamano said that although they remain confident that their presidential candidate Senator Manuel Villar has a strong chance winning in next year’s polls, it does not mean they will just sit down and not act on the matter.

“It’s (survey results) a wake-up call for us. Assuming its true and credible, the Nactionalista Party will not just sit down on the matter. Alam namin na magiging tight ang race,” Tamano said, during the Fernandina Forum at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

“We are taking the matter very seriously,” he added.

Tamano said that they remain hopeful that Villar will win in next year’s elections given his solid and outstanding record in public service.

“Some of the candidates, nangangako sila ng pabahay, jobs, etc. Pero si Senator Manny Villar ginagawa na niya iyan even before he announced his intention of running in 2010,” Tamano explained.

"Magiging positive din kami sa aming kampanya at lalayo kami sa political mud slinging," he said.

Tamano, at the same time, defended the television and radio ad campaigns of Villar saying that it is only meant to help the senator get media mileage especially from those who don’t know him yet.

“Hindi naman kasi siya artista na laging nakikita sa television. That’s why may mga advertisement siya na lumalabas. Kailangan rin niya magpakilala sa mga tao,” he said.

When asked if ever there will be a chance for Villar to back out from the presidential race as part of former President Estrada’s for the opposition to unite and support common candidate, Tamano said that is already out of the question.

The NP spokesman also said that the party is set to hold next month a convention where they will announce who will be their vice presidential and senatorial candidates for 2010.

He also announced his intention of running for senator in next year's polls.