But count her out, at least in the 2016 elections in Tarlac.
Her cousin Paniqui Mayor Miguel Cojuangco-Rivilla, who will run for congressman in Tarlac’s first district, said yesterday that Ms. Aquino has not filed with the Commission on Elections any change of address in Tarlac.
“The law requires that any congressional or local candidate must have a one year residence in the place he or she is seeking an elective post immediately before the elections and so far, Kris has not filed for change of residence anywhere in Tarlac,” Rivilla said.
He noted that those running in next year’s elections had only up to last May 9 to comply with the one-year residency requirement. “As far as I know, Kris has remained a voter in Quezon City,” he added.
A supporter of a Tarlac politician who is reportedly interested to run for governor said the principle of animus rivertendi, which former First Lady Imelda once used to qualify to run for congresswoman in Leyte, could not apply to Kris who was neither born in Tarlac nor lived at any time in the province.
Rivilla said, however, that Kris would be unbeatable in case she runs for any political post in Tarlac. Kris’ mother former Pres. Cory Aquino was from Paniqui, while her father ex-Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. was from Concepcion in the province.
“When Kris went to Paniqui some time ago to distribute relief goods to flood victims, you could see from the number and thrill of the people no one would have any chance to win against her in any election in Tarlac,” Rivilla noted.
So far, Rivilla, who does not belong to any political party, and Tarlac City Mayor Ace Manalang, have announced definite plans to run in the 2016 polls in Tarlac. Manalang had announced he would run for governor.
Rivilla said, however, that most other politicians have been “relegated to limbo” by the death of 1st District Rep. Henry Cojuangco, who was president of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Cojuangco, brother of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco died unexpectedly last May 2.
The late Cojuangco had planned to run for governor in 2016 and was reported to have told his son Tarlac Vice Gov. Kit Cojuangco to run for Congress in the 1st district.
“With Uncle Henry gone, the NPC which dominates Tarlac, has gone into limbo because no one has replaced their leader yet,” Rivilla said.
He said his uncle Danding, who was reportedly having some health problems, could fill in the vacuum but has not been heard from so far.
