Sharon Cuneta to campaign for Aquino, Roxas

MANILA, Philippines—Count the Megastar in.

Declaring full support for the presidential bid of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and his running mate Senator Mar Roxas, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday said he and his wife, popular actress Sharon Cuneta, would actively campaign for the Liberal Party's tandem.

"We have discussed about it and she will be helping in the campaign," Pangilinan said when he attended Roxas' announcement in San Juan City where Roxas formally accepted Aquino's offer to be his running mate.

Cuneta is a fresh addition to the growing number of celebrities expected to join the Aquino-Roxas campaign.

Campaign manager Florencio "Butch" Abad said Aquino's sister Kris would be bringing in many of her friends from the entertainment industry while Roxas' girlfriend Korina Sanchez "is also actively campaigning." He noted that Korina "is also a crowd-drawer."

At Monday's jam-packed gathering at Club Filipino, one man yelled, right after Roxas finished his speech: "Mabuhay si Korina, ang First Lady!"

But Kris and Korina were not around Monday.

Pangilinan had a falling out with Roxas a few months ago after Roxas, then positioned to run for president, allegedly ignored Pangilinan's wish of being considered the Liberal Party's vice presidential candidate.

But everything is all right now between him and Roxas, Pangilinan said.

He said he and Roxas "saw each other a couple of times and we had a number of discussions."

Pangilinan said he had set aside his plan to run for vice president when he joined those who pushed Roxas to give way to Aquino. "I don't want to give Noynoy any problems. I want to be part of the solution," he said.

Pangilinan did not confirm if he would be the party's spokesperson while Abad said Aquino's sister Balsy Aquino-Cruz would be one of the spokespersons during the campaign.

Aquino's sisters have been very active in helping their brother.

Last Sunday, Balsy and Pinky Aquino-Abellada managed to raise P100,000 after meeting with Aquino's supporters in Bacolod City, Abad said.

The Aquino-Roxas tandem will use conventional and nonconventional strategies in the campaign by building alliances with political groups while also working with urban poor groups, like what Aquino's sisters are doing, Abad said.

He said many supporters were donating funds to the campaign instead of asking for money.

The LP has four senatorial candidates so far: former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Akbayan party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros, former Bukidnon Representative Nereus Acosta and Muntinlupa Representative Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat said the political group Kilos Na! that was created in July to support the presidential bid of Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio would now rally behind Aquino, although it would still support Panlilio whatever his political plans would be.

Panlilio and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, who have both declared support for Aquino, are also being considered for the party's senatorial slate, said Baguilat, an LP member. [Philippine Inquirer]