Yesterday, May 1, was a long day for TV host-actress Kris Aquino, who's been flying in and out of Manila recently to campaign for her brother, presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. Despite her hectic schedule, she was able to visit Dingdong Dantes's Ayos Na (Advocates of Youth and Students for Noynoy Aquino) event called "Prinsipyo Ko, Walang Presyo" at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
During her short stay at the venue, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked her about Manny Pacquiao's statement on the latest TV campaign ad for presidential candidate Manny Villar. The Pinoy boxing champ was quoted as saying, "Mayroong iba diyan, laban nang laban sa salita pero wala pa namang nagawa."
Kris said she had already posted her comment on her Twitter account, where she stated, "I saw endorsement tvc of Pinoy sports icon saying words to the effect na laban ng laban wala naman napatunayan. In politics, Noy has won 3 straight terms sa Congress & won almost 15 million votes sa Senatorial in 2007. How sad na he didn't think na in politics–knock out nga sya. In politics si Noy ang may napatunayan because Noy has never lost an election! Ika nga, undefeated ang record nya!"
In the interview, Kris added, "Ako, I feel lang na Noy has never lost an election. I wish he [Manny] could say the same thing." Pacquiao lost his congressional bid to represent the 1st District of South Cotabato in 2007.
Kris said that it was only natural to defend her brother against such criticism. She said, "Hindi nila maalis sa akin na kapag kapatid ko na ang tinitira, ang weird ko naman kung sasabihin ko na, 'Okay lang. How nice of you.' Parang sa akin, nine days to go, kapag natapos naman ito, mapag-uusapan ang lahat. Pero siyempre, kapatid ko si Noynoy. Kung mayroon akong papanigan at ipagtatanggol hanggang kamatayan, 'yon ang kapatid ko."
ON BLACK PROPAGANDA. ABS-CBN's Queen of Talk was also asked to comment on the black propaganda against her brother, which included psychiatric reports that have since been debunked. (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
Kris said that this actually helped Noynoy gain more supporters. "Lalong tumaas si Noynoy dahil doon kasi nga, puro kasinungalingan. Kapag nag-iimbento ka, gumawa ka naman ng paraan na immediately after, e, mare-refute o masasabing fake ang sinasabi mo. E, ganun siguro sila kabobo sa kanilang paninira, na lahat ng mga pinipili nila na kunwari gumagawa ng mga report—isa, patay; isa naman buhay pero retired na. Pero lahat naman sila, pati 'yong misis noong last na psychiatrist na nahanap nila, lahat na-deny. So, belat!"
She mentioned that in their provincial sorties, many groups have expressed their support for Senator Aquino.
"Maraming magagandang pangyayari over this weekend but I'm not in the liberty to share. Kasi, out of propriety, dapat 'yong mga grupo na nag-express na ng support para kay Noynoy, hihintayin na lang namin na sila ang magsabi noon. Pero ngayon pa lang, taus-puso na ang pasasalamat ko sa tiwala at sa respetong binigay nila sa kapatid ko. Nang dahil doon, nakakasiguro kami talaga sa pagkapanalo."
ON NOYNOY-BINAY CAMPAIGN ADS. Recently, independent Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero appeared in two TV campaign ads that separately showed his support for presidential candidate Aquino and for vice-presidential candidate Jejomar Binay. Aquino's vice presidential candidate is Senator Mar Roxas, Binay's running mate is former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada.
Kris said she respects Senator Escudero's support for her brother. She said, "You know, we live in a democracy. The very fact that he's endorsing Noy, I'm very grateful. In a perfect world, he would be endorsing Noy and Mar. But it is a democracy, di ba? So, maraming salamat kay Chiz sa suportang ibinibigay niya kay Noy.
"Wala namang conflict as far as our family is concerned and as far as Mar Roxas's family is concerned. Hindi naman nila makukuwestiyon ang loyalty namin because Noy has always said, 'Iisa lang naman ang bise presidente, 'yon si Mar Roxas.'"
PEP also asked Kris if her family is bothered by the sudden changes in the ratings game. Many were surprised that ex-President Estrada shared the second spot with Senator Villar in the recent Pulse Asia survey, while her brother remained at the top.
Kris's reply was, "I love President Erap. He has never said anything bad about my brother. He treated my mother with so much respect, kaya okay kami."
With just eight days to go before the elections and only six more days to campaign, this week is sure to be a busy one for the Aquinos. Kris will visit Cebu on Monday; Baguio and La Union on Tuesday with Dingdong Dantes; Nueva Ecija and Pampanga on Wednesday; Batangas and Cavite on Thursday; and Bulacan and Valenzuela on Friday.