Nationalista Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Vilar said the senatorial lineup of the party is almost complete with the inclusion of retired Marine coloner Ariel Querubin in its senatorial slate to be fielded in the May 2010 elections.

Villar bared the list Saturday with just two days before the last filing of certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections.

Aside from Querubin, among those who are surely included in the NP Senate slate are lawyer Adel Tamano, Toots Ople, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos, re-electionist Sen. Pia Cayetano, lawyer Gwen Pimentel, daughter of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the last two being guest candidates.

Querubin is the latest to join the NP senatorial lineup following his retirement from the military service effective November 30 (Sunday).

Villar also hopes to get the support of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela’s Liza Masa although the two had announced to run as independent senatorial candidates because they were against having Marcos Jr. in the same senatorial line-up.

“It’s almost filled up. We are just finalizing the details on some who are joining us,” Villar said.

Meanwhile, negotiation is reportedly underway to include Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and former Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto to become part of the NP slate.

“We are friends with Bayani Fernando. I am not prepared to announce anything today. My policy is to give them leeway to initiate the announcement of their decision to join with us in our party,” Villar told reporters after he attended the retirement mass for Col. Ariel Querubin at the St. Ignatious Church at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday.

Even though Fernando has yet to formally take oath as NP member, reports showed that a significant number of Fernando's local leaders -- except Bayani's wife and Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando – in Marikina City have signed up with the party. They included the vice-mayor, congressman and councilors.

Querubin, detained after the seven-hour standoff in Fort Bonifacio in February, 2006 in an alleged coup plot against President Arroyo, announced yesterday his decision to run as senator under Villar’s slate after the mass attended by some of his mistahs at Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1979, family, close relatives and friends.

“I am running to restore the honor and dignity of every Filipino through meaningful legislation that could positively impact their lives. I am running to make my lifetime worthwhile, that every moment left of it, will be dedicated in the service of my country, which I love very much and will continue to love unconditionally for as long as I shall live,” Querubin said in his speech after the mass.

Querubin’s son, Ariel Jr., a grade schooler, spoke about the hardships of having a father who is jailed.

“I can say that its bad that he is incarcerated because he is unable to go out and attend our activities in school and family goals…He can help the Philippines because he can make the Philippines a better country,” the boy said.

“Tulungan niyo po ang taong mahirap at ang tatay ko,” he added.

Asked what message he would like to send to President Arroyo, the boy posed a question: “Bakit mo kinulong yung tatay ko?”

The NP will have a proclamation rally at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Macario Sakay Public Park located at the corner of Moriones and Quesada Streets in front of the Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, Manila.

Villar and his running-mate Sen. Loren Legarda are filing their Certificates of Candidacy Monday before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).