PCSO chief mum on gubernatorial plan

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines – Mum is the word.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Director Jose “Popoy” Taruc V has held off his supposed announcement to run for governor in Nueva Ecija in the 2010 elections amid much anticipation from both the camps of his former ally, Gov. Aurelio Umali and Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson.

During the celebration of his 32nd birthday at his Loyola Grand Villas residence in Katipunan, Quezon City Wednesday, Taruc made no formal mention of his political plans, leaving the Nueva Ecija media hanging on what is next for Umali’s 2007 running mate.

Two weeks ago, Taruc, son of broadcaster Joe Sr., led a PCSO caravan in Nueva Ecija where he distributed some 30,000 foodpacks to victims of tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng.

Taruc has virtually gone incommunicado, particularly to members of the working press. Several calls to his cellular phone have not been returned by him. Even his aides have not returned calls, effectively blocking all communications.

Reports said he had flown to the US to watch the Nov. 15 showdown between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquaio and World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. An avid boxing fan, Taruc is a regular fixture in past Pacquiao fights in the US.

But during an audience with a governor from a nearby province and a select group of political allies and supporters, Taruc reportedly wisecracked that he is tapping former San Jose City mayor Alex Belena as his running mate. The audience included Dennis Agtay, an aide of Umali and a mayor identified with Umali.

Former political allies of Taruc are convinced that the PCSO official might forego his Capitol run but might opt to stay in his post where he reportedly stands a good chance of getting appointed to a higher position.

A provincial board member told The STAR that Taruc may actually be in the running even for PCSO chairman as some of those in the PCSO board are seeking elective positions in next year’s elections.  

However, Taruc is being given time until the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy on Dec. 1 to make up his mind.