June 10 birthday a ‘moment of truth’ for Danding Cojuangco?

TARLAC CITY — To run or not to run?

That is the question local political and private sector leaders have been eagerly waiting for an answer from Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. as he celebrates his 68th birthday on June 10.

Many in the province believe that the business tycoon’s birthday next week will be "the moment of truth," the opportune time for Cojuangco to announce his candidacy in next year’s national elections.

Already, several groups have taken pains to create organizations and issue manifestos of support to convince the food and beverage magnate to run for president.

For one, a group of businessmen, led by Tarlac First Provincial Bank owner Blesilo Buan, recently organized the "Danding for President Movement" which intends to gather one million signatures to convince Cojuangco to seek the presidential office.

Cojuangco’s supporters in other Northern Luzon provinces, on the other hand, have formed "D4U," short for "Danding for Unity."

Many in the civic, religious, transport and market vendor sectors in Tarlac have also issued declarations of support in time for Cojuangco’s birthday.

Even provincial officials belonging to Lakas and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI), such as Mayors Genaro Mendoza of Tarlac City, Rey Catacutan of Capas, Estelita Aquino of Moncada and Juan de los Reyes of Camiling, have announced their respective "resolutions of thanks" addressed to Cojuangco’s supporters.

They all cited Cojuangco as a "son of Tarlac." Cojuangco served as governor and congressman of the province prior to his being appointed as ambassador to the United States by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

But a highly placed source in Cojuangco’s political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said that if he ever considers seeking the presidency in 2004, it is likely that he may not announce it on his birthday.

The source said Cojuangco may probably make a declaration in August "when the political climate is clearer."