Kris wooing Danding to support Noynoy's presidential bid

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines  – Actress and television host Kris Aquino yesterday revealed she is trying to convince her uncle, business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., to support the presidential bid of her brother Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

During the campaign sortie of the Liberal Party (LP) held here, Kris told reporters that she would be accompanied by Cojuangco’s daughter Lisa for a meeting with the business tycoon.

“I’ve tried... I have seen him (Cojuangco) in person because we do have a good relationship. I would be accompanied by Lisa if the campaign reaches Iloilo or Bacolod City,” she said.

Kris and Lisa are second cousins. Cojuangco and Kris’ mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, are maternal first cousins.

Kris said she was happy that Lisa decided to go with them even if they were just second cousins. Kris said she felt elated by Lisa’s offer even though she is the first cousin of administration presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

“Thank you very much. I hope she (Lisa) can convince her father to support Noynoy... I’ve tried (to convince them) as I said but it’s really their decision,” Kris said.

Kris would not say if their uncle had committed financial support for the campaign of Noynoy. Cojuangco is the founder of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the political party of Teodoro before he moved to the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Lisa, for her part, said she would maintain their family’s stand to support any candidate except Teodoro.

Lisa revealed to ABS-CBN that her father felt insulted when Teodoro bolted the NPC to join the administration party.

“My daddy was hurt. He (Teodoro) was given all the best, better than all the children, then suddenly he left. President Arroyo had nothing to do with this but Gibo became arrogant. He has to learn to be humble,” Lisa said.

Last month, Cojuangco’s wife Gretchen told reporters that her husband would support any candidate except Teodoro.

Mrs. Cojuangco said Teodoro failed to inform his uncle that he was leaving NPC to join Lakas.

She said Teodoro has been receiving help from her husband for the past nine years.

“My husband had the biggest plans for and belief in him, being so intelligent,” Mrs. Cojuangco said.

Botox makeover

Kris joined her brother here during the campaign, talking to reporters in the sidelines, revealing her plans to convince the LP presidential bet to have a makeover.

She wanted her brother to try Botox to be “more presentable.”

“If you notice, the way a person dresses and your overall look is a big thing when you face the people. Actually I advised him, do you want to have Botox? Because wrinkles are developing on his forehead,” Kris told reporters before their rally here Wednesday night.

Kris said she wanted her brother to resemble actor John Lloyd Cruz but he told her, “Why would you like to experiment on my face?”

Kris volunteered to be the stylist of Noynoy and the first thing she asked her brother was to undergo hair loss treatment but he refused.

Noynoy, however, allowed his youngest sister to be his fashion adviser.

And if Noynoy would be elected president, Kris said her role would depend on what her brother would ask of her.

“It’s up to Noy. Because if he wins and he is already the president, he calls the shots. So whatever he would ask of us to do to help him, we would do it,” Kris said.

Noynoy also said his sisters were not really excited to return to Malacañang. Kris, however, clarified they did not really live in Malacañang when their late mother was still president.

She said they never spent a single night in Malacañang but they all lived together in the Arlegui guesthouse.