BACOLOD CITY , Philippines – Gretchen Cojuangco, wife of Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Saturday expressed optimism over the country’s development with nephew, Benigno Aquino III, as president.
A lot of people believe in him, she said, adding that “he will be a good president.”
Mrs. Cojuangco did not openly endorse a presidential candidate in the past election and her statement, “anybody but Gibo,” referring to nephew, losing presidential bet Gilbert Teodoro, elicited mixed reactions from various sectors.
Her daughter, Lisa Cojuangco-Cruz campaigned for Aquino, alongside celebrity cousin Kris Aquino-Yap in Negros and Iloilo.
Mrs. Cojuangco, who was guest during the inauguration of the new government center of Bacolod and the oath-taking of city officials Saturday, said she is happy that Aquino won, as she went on expressing her optimism about the country under him.
“We should all do our share for the country and pray hard that the Lord helps the new officials who were elected and we should do our share in our own little way. We should all pray that he will succeed because he is very young,” she said.
Also present at the inauguration was boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao who expressed hope that Aquino makes true his statement during his inauguration that he will help the Filipino people.