DAVAO CITY—The most famous sister of President Aquino has endorsed the rival of a candidate that she said is a “super enemy” of her brother.
Actress Kris Aquino endorsed candidate for congressman Luis Bonguyan, who is running against Rep. Karlo Nograles, at a rally here.
“I hope you win because your rival is a super enemy of P-Noy,” said Kris, addressing Bonguyan at a rally of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, the local party formed by Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
Bonguyan, former city vice mayor, is widely perceived as lagging behind in popularity.
Nograles’ father, former Speaker Prospero Nograles, is a close ally of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
While she had directly endorsed Bonguyan during the rally, Kris was hesitant when Duterte told her she has also to endorse candidate and reelectionist Rep. Mylene Garcia of the second district.
When Duterte first introduced Kris to Garcia, the actress said: “Ah, the congresswoman from the second district. But why is she here?”
Before the rally, Duterte had told her she was in Talomo district, which is part of the city’s first congressional district.
Duterte, sensing that Kris will not endorse Garcia, told the actress that the people needed to see Kris endorsing Garcia.
Like Bonguyan, Garcia is perceived to be lagging behind other candidates in the district, like businesswoman Joji Ilagan-Bian.
Garcia’s chances further dimmed when a number of barangay chairs allied with Hugpong dropped her from the list of politicians they would support.
While Duterte was angered by the move, he failed to convince the village leaders to renew their support for Garcia. Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao