Businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco is closely looking into three critical factors before deciding whether to seek the presidency in the May 2004 elections, officials from his Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said yesterday.
Cojuangco’s nephew, Tarlac Rep. Gilbert Teodoro, said the presence or lack of "suitable candidates with good programs of government," the chances of winning and finding a worthy successor to his uncle’s position as chairman of the food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), would be key to the decision.
Teodoro and NPC chairman Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy said that while the party is giving "101 percent" backing for Cojuangco if he decides to run, they will not take any unilateral action on the issue since they are in coalition with the ruling party Lakas-CMD.
"We cannot decide on that (standard-bearer) alone," Dy said. "We also have to wait for the decision of the coalition and consult them."
Teodoro, for his part, said "the (administration) coalition is a precious thing and there is no intention to break the coalition."
Dy and other NPC officials, however, insisted Cojuangco is the party’s best bet.
Teodoro said the NPC is also awaiting the outcome of moves urging President Arroyo to reconsider her decision not to seek a full six-year term next year.
He said the ideal situation would be to have a single presidential candidate for the administration coalition.
Teodoro said the possibility of Cojuangco running against Mrs. Arroyo is "remote."
Dy, for his part, said Mrs. Arroyo and Cojuangco would have to "work it out among themselves" on the matter of who will be the standard-bearer for the administration.
In San Francisco, California where Cojuangco celebrated his 68th birthday Tuesday, he unveiled his "platform of government" but fell short of making a categorical announcement on whether he would run in next year’s elections.
Lakas Sen. Robert Barbers said leaders of the ruling party will continue to scout for other presidential candidates "unless" Mrs. Arroyo categorically declares she will run in next May.
Barbers also took exception to claims made by Lakas spokesman Heherson Alvarez that the ruling party is concentrated on Mrs. Arroyo’s possible candidacy.
"The leaders of Lakas are still scouting for the other Lakas candidates, including members of the coalition. It is not only limited to the party. But if the President will decide to run, everybody will give way to the President, including the members of the coalition and Lakas itself, If she (Mrs. Arroyo) decides to run," Barbers said.
Both Magsaysay and Flavier earlier declared they will give way if Mrs. Arroyo decides to run.
Barbers said the search for their standard-bearer is to ensure that the ruling party will have a strong alternative "if the President will make a final announcement that she is not running."
Barbers emphasized Lakas is looking for a "ready alternative candidate."
"In fact, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay and Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier declared their intention to run and even Sen. Loren Legarda. And there are others from the coalition," he said.
Barbers noted that other candidates from the coalition which Lakas is eyeing to support included Cojuangco and former education secretary Raul Roco.
"Maybe by August, it is the right time to declare our standard-bearer and for the President to make her final decision. Because if it will be in December, it will be too late for us because we have to come up with a strong presidential, vice presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates," Barbers said.
Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras, one of the 50 Lakas legislators who endorsed Cojuangco, said the former ambassador cited the need for a leader who can "heal and unite" the country, who can address the concerns of the military and the police, as well as the ability to reduce the country’s foreign and domestic debts. - With Antonieta Lopez