Thursday, December 17, 2009

Nacionalista recruiting stars to match Liberals


by Christine F. Herrera





Original Story: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/december/17/news2.isx&d=/2009/december/17


THE Nacionalista Party is trying to match the showbiz luster of the Liberal Party to draw bigger crowds to its rallies.

So far, the party’s standard-bearer, Senator Manuel Villar, had nobody to match the star quality of talk show host Kris Aquino, who campaigns for her brother, LP presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III, party officials acknowledged.

“We believe there is [a] need for the NP to match the powerful trio of Kris, Vilma and Sharon,” said senatorial candidate and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., referring to Aquino, Batangas governor and celebrity endorser Vilma Santos, and singer Sharon Cuneta, who are all campaigning for family members in the Liberal Party.

To match the trio, the Nacionalistas were in talks with singer and actress Sarah Geronimo, TV host Ginger Conejero of ABS-CBN, and Pia Guanio of GMA-7, Marcos said.

The party also expects to tap boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and game show host Willie Revillame to draw the crowds.

NP stalwart Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla dismissed surveys showing that an endorsement from Pacquiao or Revillame was the kiss of death.

“It’s not true nationwide. We made our own surveys, and we were able to validate that Revillame is strongest in the provinces,” Remulla said.

He added that the NP was also considering tapping “credible professionals” such as Arnold Clavio, the anchor of GMA-7’s Saksi news program.

“We are preparing a short list. We do not simply get showbiz and professional personalities. We are looking at their credibility and what message they could impart to the people,” he said.

“We can expect an equal fight if the NP will get popular young stars to endorse Manny’s candidacy,” Marcos said.


Original Story: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/december/17/news2.isx&d=/2009/december/17

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