Kris, Serge no-show in Noynoy’s Tarlac visit

By Maila Ager - Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Thursday held his first political rally in his home province, attended by only five of his nine senatorial candidates.

Notably, the gathering dubbed as a "send-off" sortie for Aquino, was not attended by his popular TV host sibling, Kris, or any showbiz personality supporting his presidential bid in 2010.

Present in the campaign sortie were Aquino's running mate, Senator Mar Roxas and his five senatorial bets--former Senator Ralph Recto, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former congressman Nereus Acosta, and Sonia Roco, wife of the late Senator Raul Roco.

Former Senator Franklin Drilon, Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon and detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim were a no-show at the event though Drilon was represented by his wife, Mila.

The absence of former Sen. Serge Osmena, a member of Aquino's senatorial ticket, in the event was expected after he left the group because of his strong opposition to Recto's inclusion in the slate.

But Roxas said the group will continue to carry Osmena's name in its ticket until a decision was made at the proper time.

"Sa ngayon, we have nine names but 8 bodies (For now, we have nine names but eight bodies)," Roxas told reporters. "At the proper time, a decision will be made.”

In a separate interview, Aquino said he was still courting his close friend, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, to get the latter’s support in the upcoming elections.

Escudero, who has announced he is not pushing through with plans to run for vice president, cited his close friendship with Aquino as one reason why he decided to drop his political ambitions next year.

Hundreds of people, most of them wearing yellow shirts and carrying balloons, streamers and placards, attended the send-off sortie.

Aquino admitted that his hometown would be a "focal battle ground" next year as this was also the considered bailiwick of rival candidate, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also happens to be his cousin.

But Roxas was confident that Aquino would get an overwhelming majority support from his provincemates.

Source: politics.inquirer.net