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Saturday, February 15, 2003
Danding is man to beat: Gullas
By Ramon Jaluag
TALISAY City Mayor Eduardo Gullas yesterday became the first local politician to announce his support for National People’s Coalition (NPC) chair emeritus Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, if and when the latter runs in the 2004 presidential elections.
Gullas, a former governor and congressman, said that after President Arroyo announced she is not running for president, Cojuangco is the man to beat.
Qualifications
“The country needs Danding for his strong leadership qualities and impressive track record in business and economics. He is the man of the hour who can turn the country around like what he did to San Miguel Corp.,” said Gullas in an interview.
When Cojuangco took over SMC’s management, the food and beverage conglomerate had debts amounting to P57 billion, Gullas said.
But in just a couple of years, under Cojuangco’s leadership, the company made a turn around and offset its debts and posted a profit.
At the risk of being admonished for violating the President’s moratorium for politicians to refrain from talking about 2004 while helping to focus on economic recovery, Gullas said, it should be Cojuangco whom Arroyo should anoint as coalition presidential candidate.
Timing
Gullas made his announcement to back the Cojuangco-for-president campaign after reports that at least 50 Lakas congressmen had signed a confidential letter urging the former ambassador to vie for the presidency.
With NPC’s roster of 63 congressmen, the cross-party support of Arroyo’s allies in the Lower House could fortify in large measure Cojuangco’s putative presidential bid, said Gullas.
Gullas managed Cojuangco’s presidential campaign in Central Visayas in 1992.
Cojuangco placed second to eventual winner Fidel Ramos, but his running-mate Joseph Estrada won as vice president.
Good chance
Gullas said there is a good chance Cojuangco will succeed on his second try, given the quality of presidential hopefuls who are now preening around.
Cojuangco has the financial capacity to wage an election campaign on his own and can count on the support of Estrada’s followers and the Marcos’ loyalists, he said.
Gullas met Cojuangco in Manila last week together with Cebu Congressmen Simeon Kintanar (2nd district), Antonio Yapha (3rd district), Joseph Ace Durano (5th district), Jose Gullas (1st district) and Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza and Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano.
During the meeting, however, Gullas said, Cojuangco was non-committal about his political plans.
He quoted Cojuangco as saying that he (Cojuangco) needs “to run for the presidency like he needed a hole in the head.”
But Gullas is confident that despite Cojuangco’s initial reluctance, he will eventually change his mind.
(February 15, 2003 issue)
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