Unlike his detractors who are forced to settle for a single vice presidential candidate, Nacionalista Party president and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. on Tuesday said he is choosing among six candidates for running mate in the May 2010 elections.

In an interview following a press forum at the Manila Hotel, Villar said that he would be selecting among six potential candidates for his vice president.

Villar did not identify the candidates or say they all come from ranks of the Nacionalista Party.

He belied claims of his detractors that he is scrambling for a partner.

“Hindi naman ako nagmamadali eh. Nagtataka nga ako bakit ang mga tao nagmamadali dahil lang pumili na sila ng kanilang vice president, bakit bigla akong minamadali? (I am not in a hurry. I am surprised why people are in a hurry just because they have chosen their vice president, why do they want to rush me?),” Villar said.

He said the NP is scheduled to meet in the last week of October or first week of November to discuss party preferences.

“Ang sa akin naman kasi meron kaming schedule na meeting ng partido sa late October or first week of November dahil inaasahan naming November 30 ang filing eh (For me, we have a scheduled party meeting late October or first week of November because the deadline of filing is on November 30), ” he said.

“Wala akong nakikitang dahilan para baguhin ang plano na iyon, kasi ang iba naman ay wala naman silang choice sa mga VP nila eh, dahil nga nag-give way na nga eh (I don’t see any reason why we should change our plans, because as I see it, the others really just do not have a choice in their VP),” he added.

“Ako naman ay may choice kaya di ako nagmamadali. (I have a choice that’s why I’m in no hurry),” he said.

Villar also said he is in no rush because there are many available candidates.

“Ang daming available. Mahigit anim (6) ang pwede. Hindi ako naghahanap eh, namimili ako,” he said.