Marcos family formalizes support for Manny Villar

The children of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Friday formalized their support for the May 2010 bid of Senator Manuel Villar Jr. as the once mighty Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) entered into a coalition with the presidential hopeful's Nacionalista Party. Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the KBL reached its decision to join Villar after much consultation and debate within the party. "These harried times demand painful decisions - a choice between friends and allies, amongst those who have borne the fight of the opposition throughout the years," Bongbong said. "And we choose for our president, the Honorable Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party." Former First Lady Imelda Marcos was not around during the forging of alliance, but Bongbong said he has consulted the matter with members of the family. Bongbong will be running under the NP's senatorial slate, although he is also included as a guest candidate in the senatorial line-up of former president Joseph Estrada, who will also be seeking the presidency next year. [See: Bongbong a guest candidate in Erap's senatorial slate] Incidentally, former president Marcos used to be an NP member before he founded the KBL in 1978. Senator Benigno "Simeon" Noynoy Aquino III - the son of the late strongman's political rival, the late senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. - is perceived to be one of Villar's strongest rivals for the presidency. The signing of the coalition agreement between the NP and the KBL took place at the Villar-owned Laurel house in Mandaluyong City. The stage was decorated with orange and blue colored pin wheels - replicas of Ilocos Norte's energy-generating wind farms. Symbolic colors The NP-KBL coalition coincided with the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy for all elective posts. The filing period will last up to December 1. After the signing, Bongbong gave Villar an orange-colored salakot which he said symbolizes leadership. The Ilocos congressman also hailed Villar as someone who understands the plight of the underprivileged. "He (Villar) started life with so little, just like the ordinary Filipino," Bongbong said. "Ngunit naahon nya ang sarili at pamilya sa hirap at kamangmangan (But he was able to pull himself and his family out of poverty and ignorance)." Bongbong wore a red shirt in the event, as red is the KBL's signature color. Elder sister Imee, herself a former congresswoman, wore an orange blouse. Orange is the color associated with the NP. "Alalay lang ako. Mas maganda ang alalay walang masyadong responsibilidad (I'm just assisting him. It's better this way because I don't have too many responsibilities)," Imee said, adding that she will not be seeking any elective post in next year's polls. Unresolved issues vs Marcos Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, who is in talks with the NP over his possible inclusion into the NP senatorial slate, expressed concerns over the NP-KBL alliance. "We have laid down clearly with Manny Villar our outstanding issues with the Marcoses: compensation for human rights victims and recovery of ill-gotten wealth, on which we cannot compromise," Ocampo said in a text message. "Should the NP-KBL alliance compromise our stand, we'll review our impending support for Manny Villar," he said. Aside from Ocampo, the progressive party-list bloc will also field Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza in the senatorial race next year. Ocampo told GMANews.TV in a phone interview that they will announce their decision on whether they'll run under the NP slate early next week. During the coalition signing, Villar said he expects issues against the Marcoses to be revived by some sectors. "But I'd rather look at his (Bongbong) qualification as a public servant," said Villar. Bongbong also ran for the Senate in 1995, but lost. He served for four terms as Ilocos governor: first in 1983 to 1986 then for three consecutive terms in 1998 to 2007. - Amita Legaspi and Jam Sisante, GMANews.TV