Danding takes Pangasinan by storm, literally

URDANETA CITY – Typhoon signal No. 2 was up over the city, but political leaders here yesterday gave a warm welcome to businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, who proceeded to take Pangasinan by storm.

Cojuangco’s visit to this province, where his family owned Northern Cement Corp. based in Sison town, is the fourth stop of a "listening tour" that has taken him to various provinces before he finally decides in late August whether to run for president next year.

Typhoon "Harurot" was inundating much of this northern Luzon province, but this did not stop Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani, Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, congressmen including Cojuangco’s son Mark, provincial board members, mayors, vice mayors and councilors from welcoming Cojuangco.

The provincial board earlier signed a manifesto supporting Cojuangco in case he decides to run. Streamers and posters that read "Danding 4 Unity" were conspicuously displayed in this city and nearby towns.

Urdaneta City Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. who, like many of the political officials here belongs to the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said Cojuangco’s visit was supposed to be only a luncheon meeting with Pangasinan leaders — a chika-chikahan or small talk — but he expressed hope that their guest would eventually heed the people’s request for him to run.

While the visit was supposed to be a consultation dialogue organized by Biskeg Pangasinan (Strength of Pangsinan), a group of influential mayors and other elected officials founded by Sto. Tomas Mayor Antonio Villar Jr., the gathering turned out to be a show of support for Cojuangco.

In his speech Villar said, "Sana mapulsahan na niya ang damdamin ng bayan. Meron po tayong bagyong si Harurot. Humaharurot na si Ambassador Cojuangco (We hope he will already feel the people’s pulse. Typhoon "Harurot" is here, and so is Cojuangco like a rampaging storm)."

Baguio City officials headed by Mayor Bernie Vergara, Tarlac Gov. Aping Yap, Abra Gov. Vincent Valera, congressman Jing Paras, former Speaker Noli Fuentebella, former congressman Mike Romero. Mountain Province Gov. Raul Molintas were among those who came from other provinces and braved the heavy rains to show their support for Cojuangco.

Cojuangco said, in the Ilocano dialect, that "I am happy to be here in Pangasinan, to know the feelings of Pangasinenses if I have a chance to win or not (in the next elections). I do this because many ask me to try to run again as president."

Cojuangco founded the Nationalist People’s Coalition when he ran and lost in the 1992 presidential elections.

In Filipino he added, "I will patiently do this (listening tour) because even if a person has the best idea and the right solution, if he doesn’t win, then that idea remains just an idea or only a dream."

He said "what’s important is a true leader, if he is really for the good of the country" then he should be willing to sacrifice.

He added that the opposition should unite and field just one candidate.

Meanwhile, former senator Ernesto Maceda, chairman emeritus of NPC, said he has been with Cojuangco in three earlier provincial tours but the Pangasinan visit was a pleasant surprise because the political leaders were one in welcoming the businessman.

Maceda said while Bohol leaders were mostly from Lakas and the Camarines Sur and Bataan officials were NPC, Pangasinan proved to be a happy mixture of both.

"You can see today the composition and body language (of those present)," Maceda said, noting that Pangasinan is the bailiwick of former President Fidel Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Cojuangco is from the next-door province of Tarlac.