At the same time, he reiterated his endorsement of the pro-life party-list groups, emphasizing their opposition to family planning, particularly the use of contraceptives.

The charismatic leader made the statements in the company of Villar and Legarda before hundreds of handkerchief-waving El Shaddai members gathered in a rainy, misty and cold Sunday afternoon on Chater Road on Feb 14.

Villar--the first Filipino presidential candidate to visit Hong Kong during the official campaign period--and Legarda were invited by Velarde to a celebration of the Lunar New Year and Valentines Day by the El Shaddai congregation in Hong Kong.

Apparently trying to dispel insinuations that the presence of the NP candidates at the celebration was a tacit endorsement, Velarde said he was not 100 per cent endorsing them, adding that he invited them because Villar and his running mate were long-time friends of his.

He said it is up for members of his group to select their future leaders. "I'm giving the people the freedom of choice," Velarde said.

Asked later to comment on Velarde's statement that she is not being endorsed by the charismatic leader, Legarda simply replied, "Action speaks louder than words."

That only seemed to fuel speculation that Velarde has given his blessing to the NP candidates, who were greeted by El Shaddai members wearing the political party's official campaign color orange.

Legarda has acknowledged that Velarde was her spiritual adviser even before she entered politics. She is also being endorsed by Gabriela because of her role in passing the "Anti-Domestic Violence for Women and Children Bill."

Earlier in the programme, Velarde jestingly addressed Cynthia Villar as the "future first lady" and then turned to Villar, saying, "O ayan, malaki na utang mo sa akin. (Now you owe me a lot)."

Expressing his backing for the party-list group, Velarde said: "Sandaang porsiyento kong iniindorso ang party-list na nagtataguyod sa buhay ng isang tao mula sa sinapupunan." (I endorse 100 percent the party-list that will advocate for the right to life of every person from birth)

Villar said his heart is close to overseas Filipino workers because he was once poor, the reason why one of his priorities is putting a stop to poverty. He also said that a presidential candidate should have the right experience in political leadership. "Huwag pagpa-praktisan ang mga walang karanasan sa pulitiko." (Don't allow those who don't have experience to use politics as a training ground).

He defended himself against those who were accusing him of having benefited from the controversial C5 road extension, calling it an issue being resurrected by his political opponents to gain propaganda mileage at the expense of his candidacy. He stressed that the said C5 extension was a legitimate government project.

Velarde noted that Villar's visit also benefited his congregation. "This crowd is bigger than the previous celebrations of Valentines Day and the Lunar New Year that El Shaddai organized every year in Chater Road, and it might be because of Villar and Legarda's visit," he said. The two top candidates of the Nacionalista Party were a no-show during the Hong Kong proclamation the previous weekend of their senatorial candidates from Makabayan coalition, Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. Rep. Cynthia Villar attended in place of her husband.