Is Kris Aquino going on leave at all?

Shortly after Noynoy Aquino was proclaimed by the Liberal Party as its standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential elections, reporters quickly sought out Noynoy's sister Kris not just for her reaction but for her plans as well.

Reporters had one very specific question in mind — would the popular television host go on leave now that her brother has been named by his party as its official candidate for president.

The question is valid because it carries with it a very grave concern that Kris might use, wittingly or unwittingly, her tremendous media influence to push the candidacy of her dear brother.

To the surprise of many, Kris answered categorically that she would not be going on leave as a result of Noynoy's nomination. And to the dismay of even more people, Kris went on with a great non sequitor to justify her decision.

According to Kris, why would she go on leave when she is not married to her brother. Wow, television's bleeding heart for the great cause of good versus evil has wooly eyes after all and cannot see the difference between delicadeza and conflict of interest when up close.

Noynoy cannot win on his own. That is why even his own partymates and supporters cannot but unabashedly push the only argument they have going — that Aquino has the good genes of his illustrious parents.

But more than his parents, Noynoy has Kris. His parents are dead and cannot campaign for him anymore. And while fond memories can bring in a few sympathy votes, memories will not be as fresh eight months from now when election day swings around. So it is all up to Kris.

Kris is one of the most sought-after and highly-paid product endorsers in the country today. To have Kris put in a good word for something or somebody almost completely guarantees acceptance and success.

It is impossible for Kris not to have seen this ethical dilemma. On the other hand, what if this did not pose as an ethical dilemma to her? What if she sees nothing wrong in an occasional pitch for brother Noynoy on primetime television?

To her credit, television anchor Korina Sanchez, fiancee of then presidential aspirant Mar Roxas before he gave way to Noynoy, saw the same ethical dilemma and went on leave so as not to place Mar in a tight situation if the matter of conflict of interest ever came up.

Maybe Kris will eventually see the light and stay away from a position where she will be able to lend support to Noynoy in ways that are clearly unfair and disadvantageous to the other runners.

The uncanny thing is that nobody seems to have noticed or taken action against the situation. Which brings me to the question of whether what is good for the goose may not be as good for the gander.

The Aquinos are big on the claim that they represent the good alternative to all that is evil around us. They are quick to the assertion that change and reform can come only if you are allied with them.

What is uncanny is that they seemed to have missed the point that talk is cheap, that in order for them to bring about real and meaningful change and reform, they have live and practice what they preach.