Prachai's about-turn to lead and contest the polls

"All party members have given their moral supports to my leadership, hence I will continue to serve them," he said.

Prachai spoke following a meeting with ranking party members and partylist and constituency candidates who turned out in full force to ask him to reconsider his decision to leave the party.

He said he is back in the race, quelling speculation about his party's disintegration ahead of the polls.

He announced his resignation on Tuesday in the wake of his Monday's conviction of stock manipulation.

The Nation