‘90% chance Danding will run in ’04’

Supporters of businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco in Pangasinan claimed yesterday "it’s 90 percent sure" that the former ambassador will run in the 2004 presidential elections.

Sto. Tomas town Mayor Antonio Villar Jr., senior adviser of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League, claimed this was disclosed to him by Cojuangco’s son, Pangasinan fifth district Rep. Mark Cojuangco.

Villar claimed the elder Cojuangco, who is chairman of San Miguel Corp., will make the formal announcement at the end of August in Metro Manila.

Villar, also the founder of "Biskeg Pangasinan" (Strength of Pangasinan), a group of local chief executives in the province, said they have endorsed Cojuangco to run for president next year.

Villar said the group has acknowledged Cojuangco’s economic expertise in making San Miguel one of the world’s biggest food and beverage companies.

"This is the most important thing the country needs to turn around the worsening economic problems of the country," Villar said.

But with reports coming out that President Arroyo may seek a full six-year term in 2004, Biskeg members said they are in a dilemma since most of them are members of the administration Lakas-CMD party.

For his part, Villasis town Mayor Nonato Abrenica said "we have a commitment to our group. We have tested the loyalty of one another. We stood with each other come rain or high water. Whatever is the decision of the majority of our group, we will abide by it. Sama-sama tayo (We’re in it together)."

On the other hand, Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, a provincial Lakas official, together with all the members of the provincial board, has signed a manifesto supporting Cojuangco.

"We will have a caucus with concerned leaders before crossing the bridge. But it will be for the interest of the people which will be the prime consideration," Lambino said.

He believes, however, that if Mrs. Arroyo decides to run in the next year’s polls, Cojuangco will give way.

A source close to the Cojuangcos said Mrs. Arroyo’s Dec. 30 declaration in Baguio City that she would not run and her possible reconsideration would be immaterial to Cojuangco’s imminent bid.

In case Cojuangco decides to throw his hat into the presidential ring, local officials in Pangasinan said they are willing to campaign for him even outside the province.

But most of them noted that Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League and the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, is a cousin of Mrs. Arroyo.

"Of course we understand (Guico’s) predicament but we will work to get even 50 percent of the votes from his town for Cojuangco," said Villar.

The changes in the political climate in the province were apparently triggered by the statement made by Presidential Chief of Staff Rigoberto Tiglao last Wednesday that Mrs. Arroyo may run in next year’s presidential election if the "national interest" calls for it.

Many believe Mrs. Arroyo withdrew from the 2004 election because her popularity had been on the wane since she assumed the presidency after a military-backed popular uprising in January 2001 toppled Joseph Estrada, now on trial for plunder charges.

Mrs. Arroyo is serving the remainder of Estrada’s six-year term, which ends in June next year.

Many in Mrs. Arroyo’s political party have been pushing her to reconsider her earlier decision to withdraw. But she insisted she would not change her mind, saying she should be true to her word. At least 84 Lakas-CMD congressmen have passed a resolution urging her to run.

Other Lakas congressmen, including those from the ruling coalition, are supporting Cojuangco.

The opposition, however, remains divided. Several congressmen belonging to the mainstream opposition party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), have endorsed Sen. Panfilo Lacson as their presidential bet.

But Sen. Edgardo Angara, LDP president, surprised his colleagues in the opposition when he announced his support for Cojuangco.

Cojuangco founded the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) which is now a member of the ruling coalition with Lakas-CMD.

Another opposition party, Estrada’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), is awaiting the decision of the mainstream opposition to unite and declare their support for a common candidate.

According to PMP secretary general Angelito Banayo, they are taking note of the latest popularity surveys of some presidential hopefuls.

Taking note of the popularity of Sen. Noli de Castro for instance, Banayo said it is very likely that the "phenomenal" number of respondents choosing De Castro in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey would be translated into votes for the opposition standard-bearer to be anointed by Estrada.

"Noli de Castro’s numbers (in the survey) are phenomenal considering that he has not declared (his candidacy) nor is there any inclination on him running for the vice presidency," Banayo said in an interview with ANC’s "On Line" program Wednesday night.

Banayo pointed out the "significant correlation" between De Castro supporters and those for Estrada who, he said, mainly come from the masses.

"Who would this Noli de Castro likely voters vote for if he does not run? Since this is mostly (voters from the) D and E (classes), there is the likelihood that a big percentage of these are actually Estrada’s masa votes, who normally would switch to whoever Estrada endorses," he said.

When asked if Estrada is still considering running in next year’s presidential elections, Banayo said it is safe to say that the former president will not be a candidate but will actively participate in the endorsement of the opposition standard-bearer.

"It is not necessary for (former) President Estrada to be active in the campaign. All that is probably necessary is for him to endorse somebody so that the loyal following that he has developed through the years would likely listen to his endorsement," he said.

Banayo, meanwhile, said that Estrada’s close friend, actor Fernando Poe Jr., is not yet "out of the picture" even as the movie icon has not indicated his intention to join the presidential derby.

"But we cannot wait forever because we have to organize and energize (our would-be chosen standard-bearer)," he said.

Banayo admitted there have been no efforts to convince Poe to run from their end.

"If there is any effort, that would simply be a one-on-one talk between him and President Estrada," he said.