Independent senatorial candidate Francis Pangilinan and Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas campaign manager Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco disputed Wednesday reports that Alyansa is talking to Pangilinan and candidate Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV for inclusion in the administration lineup.

"Not true. I have not met Kiko and Bam," Tiangco said.

Pangilinan said there have been no discussions between his camp and Alyansa.

"Walang namang kumakausap sa akin tungkol dito, RG. We have been busy in the campaign trail in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao since last week,” Pangilinan told ABS-CBN News.

A recent article from The Manila Times suggested that Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas was considering endorsing Pangilinan and Aquino.

This, after the president's sister Senator Imee Marcos bolted the administration ticket after she disagreed with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr's government's decision to arrest and surrender former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court to stand trial for crimes against humanity in connection with the drug war.

Pangilinan said that while he welcomes broad-based support for his advocacies, his candidacy is driven by the urgent need to address the country’s food crisis and economic hardships.

“Sa atin, ang laban ay laban para sa pagkain sa murang presyo. Hindi ito usapin ng partido o kulay. Handa tayo makipagtulungan sa lahat ng mga partido, alyansa man o pdp o iba pang mga grupo sa ngalan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na hindi na makabili ng sapat na pagkain dahil sa taas ng presyo,” he said in a statement.