Cojuangco: ‘I never dictate on Negros leaders’

NATIONALIST People's Coalition (NPC) Chairman Emeritus and former Ambassador Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Friday clarified that he never dictates on the political decisions of the leaders in Negros Occidental.

Cojuangco made the clarification in a press conference held Friday at L’ Fisher Hotel with Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, NPC Provincial Chairman Kabankalan City Mayor Isidro Zayco, Board Member (BM) Manman Ko, Representative Mercedes Alvarez, BM Mae Javellana, and BM Dino Yulo.

Cojuangco said he endorsed Alvarez as the gubernatorial candidate in the 2013 elections after Governor Alfredo Marañon committed to him that he will not seek reelection in 2013.

Because of this, Cojuangco said he asked Alvarez if he is willing to run for Governor and Alvarez accepted the offer.

A video tape of the top leaders' meeting held at Shangri-La Hotel in Manila last August 30 was shown before the start of the press conference Friday.

In the meeting, Marañon asked Cojuangco to declare Negros as a Free Zone, as he and Alvarez both belong to UNA. However, Cojuangco said he has committed support to Alvarez.

Cojuangco added that the majority decided to choose Alvarez.

UNA split nothing to do with SM, Ayala conflict

Cojuangco revealed that anything that happened within UNA has nothing to do with the land deal between Capitol and Ayala.

"Both Ayala and SM are my friends. Both are close to me. Why should I meddle in the middle? They are not politicians; they are businessmen," Cojuangco said.

On UNA versus NPC

Cojuangco said that although he is the founder of UNA which is a conglomeration of major national political parties, he is giving it up because of Marañon's insistence of sticking with UNA.

Alvarez and his entire slate will carry the NPC party.

On coming up of a common candidate

The common candidate was no longer considered, as Cojuangco said Marañon has already declared that he is running, so the common candidate is no longer needed.

After the August 30 meeting of the top officials, about 21 mayors endorsed the tandem of La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie Ferrer and EB Magalona Mayor David Albert for the top posts in the province as the common candidate.

But Cojuangco said that, during the June 14, 2012 meeting, Congressman Alvarez said that they were not aware of the fielding of a common candidate.

On Cong. Ferrer

Nationalist People's Coalition Chairman Emeritus Eduardo Cojuangco said that it would be better for 4th District Representative Jeffrey Ferrer to finish his term as congressman.

"We love Congressman Jeffrey that is the reason why he got elected with no opponent. He might better finish his term first before he considers other political plans," Cojuangco said.

The name of Ferrer came out that he has considered running for governor, but Cojuangco believes that Ferrer must stick with the 4th District than considering the other plans.

Chronology of events

On May 2, 2012, Benitez met Cojuangco to discuss UNA “problem” with Marañon.

Cojuanco met Marañon weeks later and Marañon agreed he won’t seek reelection and recalls that, when he first ran, he had said he was good for only one term.

June 19, 2012 was the date Cojuangco and Marañon agreed upon when the governor would announce he was no longer running in the next elections.

On June 14, 2012, Representatives Albee Benitez, Jeffrey Ferrer, Alejandro Mirasol, and Mercedes Alvarez met and agreed on a status quo for the provincial ticket.

Congressman Alvarez said they agreed because they did not know there was already an agreement between Cojuangco and Marañon for the latter not to run anymore.

August 30 was the meeting of the top officials namely Marañon, Vice Governor Alvarez, Representatives Ledesma, Marañon III, Benitez, Ferrer, Mirasol, Alvarez and Zayco. (Teresa D. Ellera/Carla N. Canet)