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Sunday, April 25, 2004
Roco to arrive in country on 28th
MANILA -- After reports that he was merely making a graceful exit from the presidential race, Alyansa ng Pag-asa presidential bet Raul Roco is expected to arrive in the country on the 28th after a successful medical treatment in Houston, Texas.
In a press conference, his son Rex Roco confirmed that his father would be back in the country to join the remaining days of the campaign.
"We're awaiting his arrival on April 28. Wala pang specified oras, pero ang alam po namin naka-book na siya (There is no specified time of arrival yet, but we know he is already booked in a return flight)," Rex said.
He reiterated his earlier statement that his father will still join the presidential race. "Tuloy pa rin. Walang atrasan ito. Tuloy ang laban," Rex added.
Vice presidential candidate Hermie Aquino, on the other hand, said that Roco would explain to the public the condition of his health as soon as he arrives in the airport.
Alyansa ng Pag-asa has refused to release any medical bulletin due to advice of his doctors.
According to Aquino, the Alyansa ng Pag-asa is already preparing activities for the grand welcome.
Roco is expected to arrive in the morning of the 28th. In the afternoon, he is to proceed with the motorcade, mass, meeting among the members and supporters and a press conference.
The Alyansa also announced that there would be a vigil on the eve of April 27, in preparation for his arrival.
Meanwhile, the Alyansa ng Pag-asa has denied reports that local leaders from Roco's camp have withdrawn their support for the candidate.
"Wala pong katotohanan ang mga pangalan na binanggit. At buong-buo pa rin ang commitment nila kay Roco," Aquino said.
Ping-FPJ unity
Meanwhile, majority of the members of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) are no longer interested in the unification between presidential hopefuls Fernando Poe Jr. and Panfilo Lacson, according to Sen. Aquilino Pimentel.
In a statement, Pimentel said that many of Poe's partymates and fellow candidates are losing interest on unity talks.
"There will be a number of repercussions within the organization. There will be too much complications," Pimentel said, adding that the KNP has already chosen Sen. Loren Legarda as vice presidential candidate.
He further said if Lacson would be Poe's running mate, Legarda would be sacrificed as well as the other senatorial candidates, which the party would not allow.
Pimentel also said the KNP is disregarding the unification talks after Lacson rejected the appeal of Joseph Estrada to give way to Poe.
He said Estrada's all out endorsement of Poe's presidential bid, instead of convincing Lacson to step aside, seems to have hardened his determination to stay in the race.
"I think that Mr. Lacson has burned his bridges as far as expecting support from the Estrada camp is concerned," he added.
Earlier, Pimentel said that the unification could no longer be achieved due to lack of time as the election campaign is already in the homestretch. JPM
(April 25, 2004 issue)
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