Administration supporter to ‘shock’ nation in LP move—Aquino

An administration stalwart will join Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino III's camp next week in a move that would “shock” the people, the Liberal Party standard-bearer himself revealed on Tuesday.


An administration stalwart will join Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's camp next week in a move that would “shock” the people, the Liberal Party standard-bearer himself revealed on Tuesday. "Next week ho ay magugulat kayo. Isa sa mga stalwarts sa kasalukuyang administrasyon ay sasama ho sa kampanya natin [Next week, you will be surprised. One of the stalwarts of the present administration will join our campaign]," Aquino said at a press conference here.
But the senator immediately asked for understanding that he could not name the administration official at this point.
When pressed by this reporter after the press conference how the entry of this person would rock the administration," Aquino said, "Kapag hindi ka nagulat, huwag mo na akong kausapin [If you won’t be shocked, don’t talk to me]."
Pressed further, the senator said, "Ewan ko kung yayanig [I don't know if this will shock them]. Siguro [Maybe] sometime by next week, alam na nila kung sino pero ako hindi ko iniexpect [They will know who, but as for me, I didn't expect it]."
Aquino said he himself was even surprised that this person is joining his camp.
Asked again if the entry of this person might result to the collapse of the administration, Aquino answered in the negative.
"Hindi naman. Hindi naman ganun kaano pero pag ika nga ...ha? Pati yan sumama sa inyo. Parang ganun ang reaction [Not really. But you'd say, 'Ha? Even that person joined you?],’" he said.
Aquino immediately defended the entry of this soon-to-be former administration supporter and other administration members into the LP against criticisms by other camps.
He said the move did not mean the administration's support for his presidential bid.
"E ito yung mga pumapalag from time to time na maski miyembro ng Lakas e. Hindi naman yung mga baluktot pinipilit maging tuwid. Itoy yung talagang napagsabihan din ni Gng. Arroyo from time to time [They are those who protest from time to time even if they’re from Lakas. They’re not those who are corrupt and are trying to be straight. They are those whom Mrs. Arroyo would reprimand from time to time]," he pointed out.
Aquino suddenly stopped, saying he was giving too many clues that might lead to the identification of this administration official.
"Baka naman ma-pressure pa yung papunta na sa amin e [He might be pressured, especially since he’s moving to us]," he further said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. reiterated his support for Aquino III and runningmate Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
"I think this is the best time to have a real change through the leadership of [Senators Aquino and Roxas]," Davide said at a press conference here.
Davide said he resigned as the Philippine ambassador to the United Nations months ahead before his term expired on June 30, 2010 because he wanted to enlighten the people in choosing the best leader for the country.
"I'm here knowing that victory is sure for Noynoy and Mar and for the entire LP," he said.
Davide's son and namesake, Hilario Davide III, is seeking a gubernatorial post under Aquino's party.
Davide was joined by his son, Aquino, city mayor Tomas Osmena, and some LP senatorial bets like former Senator Ralph Recto, incumbent congressmen Nereus Acosta and Rufino Biazon, Sonia Roco, and Martin Bautista.