Danding to scholars: “Support NPC bets”

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., founder and chairman emeritus of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), allegedly appealed to his policemen scholars to support some NPC candidates in Negros Occidental.

Photocopies of the letter supposedly coming from the Eduardo Cojuangco Foundation (ECF) dated December 20, 2012 and purportedly bearing his signature circulated in the Bacolod media last Wednesday.

Cojuangco could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr., said that, as far as he knew, Cojuangco had written to all his scholars, not just the police officers.

Alvarez, who was endorsed by Cojuangco as the gubernatorial bet of the NPC, said it was the prerogative of the ambassador to appeal for support from his scholars.

The ECF, of which Cojuangco is the chairman, supports teachers and policemen undergoing masteral studies. It has launched Project FREE (Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence) for Teachers and Project COPS for policemen.

In the letter, with blank addressee, Cojuangco allegedly wrote: “We are happy to let you know that since we completed Project COPS in Negros Occidental in February 2010, we continue to receive positive feedback from several sectors on how the performance of our police officers have significantly improved.

“Given your personal core values and professional skills, you truly serve as a role model among your peers. Indeed, you play a special role in ensuring the safety and security of our society and our social institutions,” it read.

“It is on this light that I write to you for your personal support. I humbly appeal to you to join me in our shared and continuing advocacy of promoting good governance at all levels of public service,” the letter read.

“Let us collectively and strongly give our support to our public servants whose stated platform of governance best addresses the concerns of our constituents and the challenges of the times,” it added.

Supposedly attached to the covering letter was the list of “supported NPC candidates for 2013,” with the names of Alvarez for governor and former San Carlos City mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson for vice governor, on it.

It also listed the names of candidates for Provincial Board members, mayors and some vice mayors of the six districts of Negros Occidental.

The attached list however bore erasures supposedly to delete the candidates for vice mayors of the cities of Sagay, Victorias, Talisay and Silay, and the town of Manapla.

It also deleted the names of candidates for mayor of Cadiz City, PB member of the 4th district, and mayor of E. B. Magalona town. Not in the list however was any candidate for congressman.  (FREEMAN)