The political limbo arising from the sudden death last May of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) President Rep. Henry Cojuangco has remained at least in his Tarlac province.
Local politicians he had anointed for posts to seek in the 2016 elections are hoping NPC godfather Danding Cojuangco would fill up the void created by his younger brother’s death and provide the “compass” for their political plans in the coming polls.
This was revealed by Paniqui Mayor Miguel Cojuangco- Rivilla, who won his post as independent candidate in the 2013 elections and plans to run for the congressional post left vacant by his uncle Henry who unexpectedly died from aneurysm last May.
“The political landscape in Tarlac has been altered by the death of Uncle Henry. It’s as if all NPC members here still find themselves in limbo,” he said.
So far, only Rivilla, who has remained independent, and Tarlac City Mayor Ace Manalang of Lakas Party, have announced their political plans for 2016. Rivilla will run for congressman in Tarlac’s first district, while Manalang plans to run for governor.
Initially, the late congressman had also bared plans to run for governor, declaring that his son Tarlac Vice Gov. Enrique Cujuangco Jr. would run for the congressional post in the first district.
The vice governor, during the burial of his father, had declared he was no longer sure of his political plans.
“It seems NPC members are hoping Uncle Danding would step in to provide them leadership,” Rivilla said.
But the elder Cojuangco, who has been known to be ailing, has remained silent, he noted.
