Wednesday, June 23, 2010

News update Peping Cojuangco regrets supporting Roxas

MANILA, Philippines - Former Tarlac Congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said he now regrets having supported his nephew's running mate, Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas, in the vice-presidential elections.

Cojuangco also categorically denied allegations that he backed the vice-presidential bid of Roxas' opponent, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the running mate of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Cojuangco said he's had enough of criticisms President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's advisors are leveling against him and the rest of the Cojuangco clan.

“Masama ang loob ko dahil imbes na gumawa sila ng tama, na magtulong-tulong ang lahat para makita ang problema ng ating mga kababayan na mahihirap, huwag na silang maghangad na maisolo ang administrasyon,” said Cojuangco.

Cojuangco's wife, socialite Margarita “Ting Ting” Cojuangco, is president of the Public Safety College under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He added these critics resurrected the term "Kamaganak, Inc." so that the president-elect would not listen to him.

“Ang dapat nating pagbawalan, yung mga taong maski anong administrasyon ay nandun sila. Kung sila’y nanggaling sa isang administrasyon na naitabi na ng tao, dapat tumabi na rin sila,” said Cojuangco.

Members of the so-called Hyatt 10, who were former allies of President Arroyo, are among Aquino's closest advisers.

A number of them are supposedly being offered Cabinet positions.

“Kasi ito ang mga nakikita ko ngayon eh, I heard na kasali na rin daw ‘yung ibang mga Gloria people. They’re included in the set-up. Hindi na maganda ‘yun,” he said.

Cojuangco, however, refused to say that the Hyatt 10 members are the ones criticizing him.

'I should have supported Jojo'

Cojuangco also insisted he supported Roxas amid rumors that he secretly backed Binay's campaign.

Binay and the Cojuangco-Aquino families have long been political allies.

Binay was one of the human rights lawyers of MABINI. He helped in the 1986 people power uprising which installed Mrs. Cory Aquino to the presidency.

After the fall of the Marcos government in February 1986, Aquino appointed Binay officer-in-charge of Makati, and the Binay family has never lost control of the city since.

“I never, never campaigned for Binay. That's very clear," said the former Tarlac representative. “Pero itong nariring ko ngayon, baka mali ako. Maybe I should have supported Jojo (Binay)."

Cojuangco hopes that despite the criticisms against him, Aquino will listen to his advice, and that other people who helped in the campaign, will be given the chance to serve in his administration.

ABS-CBN tried to get the reaction of Roxas over Cojuangco's statements, but Roxas declined to give a comment as of posting time.

Roxas lost a closely-fought vice-presidential race to Binay by around 720,000 votes. He intends to file an electoral protest.