Danding still mum on supporting Aquino

CAMILING, Tarlac -- Even as his daughter and younger brother show support for the presidential candidacy of his nephew, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. remains mum about the candidate he is supporting on May 10.




On Saturday night, Cojuangco, chair emeritus of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said he would rather not be involved in politics anymore.



"Matanda na tayo, ayaw ko na makialam sa pulitika (We're already old. I don't want to be involved in politics anymore)," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.



Asked if the support of his daughter, Liza Cojuangco-Cruz, who had joined Aquino's campaign sortie in Iloilo, and his brother, Henry, for Aquino was tantamount to his endorsement, Cojuangco said: "They are free to choose, bahala sila (It's their call)."



Pressed as to why his family members chose to support Aquino, the Liberal Party standard bearer, in a field of nine candidates, Cojuangco said "this is Tarlac, there are two Tarlaqueños running and they are not for Gibo (Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate and nephew Gilbert Teodoro Jr.)."



In a separate interview, Henry Cojuangco, NPC chair in Tarlac's first district, said he has decided to support Aquino "because he is the worthwhile Tarlaqueño candidate."



Henry is running for representative in the district now represented in Congress by Teodoro's wife, Nikki.



Earlier, NPC leaders in the province endorsed the team-up of Aquino and Sen. Loren Legarda, a member of the NPC who is running for vice president under the Nacionalista Party banner.



The LP did not field any candidate in the congressional race in the first district, a known NPC bailiwick, assuring victory for Henry.



The LP has not also fielded a candidate for Tarlac governor, a post currently held by NPC bet, Victor Yap.