Aquino sees
demolition job
in Ampatuan
‘endorsement’
"SICK joke."
Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III yesterday rejected the Ampatuan family’s endorsement of his presidential bid, saying it was all part of a script to destroy him amid his soaring approval ratings.
"No, thank you," he said in a press conference at the Cagayan de Oro City airport. "Di ko nakakausap yan, di namin hinahabol ang kanilang endorsement. Nabiktima na din ako (ng dayaan) sa ARMM noong 2007."
Aquino initially could not believe news reports that the Ampatuans are casting their lot with him. "Siguro joke," he said.
His campaign manager, Florencio Abad, dismissed the endorsement as "a sick joke" orchestrated by the government.
"How can a prisoner like him hold a press conference inside a detention center only to endorse a candidate?" he said, adding voters would not believe Ampatuan.
Datu Unsay Mayor Andal "Unsay" Ampatuan Jr., principal suspect in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre, made the endorsement in a press conference in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, where he is detained.
"Our family is supporting Noynoy because we believe he’s the only one capable of bringing out truth and justice," said Ampatuan, wearing a yellow shirt and flashing "L" sign, the campaign trademark of Aquino who has vowed to pursue allegations of corruption against President Arroyo. He was also wearing Aquino’s yellow baller ID band.
But last week when he was transferred from the NBI detention to Camp Bagong Diwa, Ampatuan was wearing an orange baller, and told reporters he was supporting Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.
Jail officials said Ampatuan’s lawyers had asked to be allowed to hold a press conference to answer allegations relating to the dismissal of the murder cases against two Ampatuan family members, Zaldy and Akmad.
Ampatuan denied that the decision of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra to free his brother and uncle was in exchange for political favors in the presidential election next month.
Aquino said his rivals are taking the people for a fool because the Ampatuan clan is associated with Villar.
He noted Ampatuan was seen on TV Thursday last week wearing Villar’s baller.
"Basta alam ko noong isang araw, yung baller na suot-suot niya sa TV, ang kulay ‘di dilaw," he said.
Aquino said the latest attack on him came after he assailed Agra’s decision to drop multiple murder charges against ARMM Gov. Zaldy "Puti" Ampatuan and Mamasapano town Mayor Akmad "Tato" Ampatuan.
Aquino also said only a fool would believe Malacanang’s statement that it had no hand in Agra’s decision.
He said President Arroyo, with her negative trust ratings, would have "castigated" Agra if she did not want to be hit by the "negative backlash" of Agra’s decision.
Aquino said the people should be more vigilant to stop any move to destroy the conduct of credible elections in Mindanao.
"Una huwag natin kalimutan, di pa nare-resolve (yung cheating) in 2004. Yung 2007 may nangyari na din (dayaan). Ang characters involved nariyan pa rin, kung di diretso, nasa paligid, may babalik pa. Paano magbabago ang resulta doon? Habulin natin baguhin natin ang equation, nanatili ang ating mga volunteers para magkaroon ng saysay sa pagbabanmtay ng boto," he said.
Abad scoffed at earlier reports that Sen. Mar Roxas, Aquino’s running mate, was among those who solicited the Ampatuans’ support.
"This is pure foolishness and sheer falsehood. Senator Roxas is not desperate to seek the support of the Ampatuan cheating machinery in Maguindanao," he said.
Liberal Party senatorial bet Martin Bautista said NP spokesman and senatorial bet Gilbert Remulla should be the one to explain his alleged meeting with Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. last month.
"Was the NP spokesperson paying a courtesy call? Or was he sent by his brother-in-law, Sigfrid Fortun, who happens to be the lawyer for the Ampatuans, on an errand?" he said.
"Or was he there on a mission on behalf of his principal, Sen. Manny Villar, to ask for their support? These are questions that Mr. Remulla must answer truthfully in the light of recent developments," Bautista said. – With Ashzel Hachero
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