Danding Cojuangco affirms support for Legarda

By Michael Lim Ubac (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100317-259155/Danding-Cojuangco-affirms-support-for-Legarda

MANILA, Philippines—During a recent closed-door meeting, business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco and the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which he founded, reiterated their full support for vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda.

However, the kingmaker was mum on his presidential choice, reportedly a close fight between Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party and Sen. Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party.
“My father and I want to assure everybody, that we and the entire NPC organization are fully supporting Senator Legarda’s vice presidential candidacy,” said Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, issuing a statement right after the meeting on Monday.
The congressman admitted that the NPC had yet to rally behind a presidential candidate. The party’s only other official national candidate is Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is seeking to return to the Senate.
“We may not have a presidential aspirant in these elections, but the NPC has not wavered in its commitment to support Senator Legarda,” Cojuangco stressed.
Legarda, an NPC stalwart, opted to run with Villar as a guest VP candidate of the NP.
The good news was welcomed by Legarda in an ambush interview after she keynoted a climate change adaptation conference on Monday at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City.

“I knew from the beginning that the Cojuangco family and the NPC will never waiver, and I will not let them down. I will bring the party to victory,” Legarda said.
NPC spokesperson Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said the NPC, which remains the second biggest party in the country, was “100 percent for Loren.”
“The NPC is fully supporting Senator Legarda’s advocacies of saving the environment, championing the causes of women and children and protecting the interests of overseas Filipino workers and their families,” Gatchalian said in a phone interview.
“The false and malicious reports about the change of support is another desperate attempt by some of her opponents to drive a wedge among the NPC leadership and in the process create confusion in Senator Legarda’s vice presidential bid,” he added.
On the presidential race, Gatchalian refused to speak for the Cojuangcos, but hinted of a coalition between NPC and NP.